Kantara Castle.

What to see at Kantara Castle

• Kantara Castle (Kantara Kalesi) is entered from the east through a barbican strengthened by two towers.
• Horseshoe-shaped towers stand at the north and south ends of the front wall, and three sides fall away in deep cliffs.
• Inside are a cross-vaulted room whose lower floor was a prison, and three vaulted rooms with arrow slits.
• A tower on the summit was built to signal to Buffavento.

History of Kantara Castle

10th century

Probably first built as a lookout, on a sheer rock about 700 m high.

1191 and 1373

Isaac Komnenos and later Prince John of Antioch take refuge here after defeat.

1382–1398

King James I strengthens the castle again; most of the ruins seen today are his work.

1525

The castle's last use; the Venetians then leave it to decay.

Visiting Kantara Castle

Allow about an hour. The castle stands near Kantara village, about 13.6 km north of İskele, with the İK.76 road beside it. A car park is mapped about 50 m away. The paths are rocky and give little shade.

Monuments near Kantara Castle

• İskele Archaeology Museumabout 14 km southTen thousand years of Cypriot archaeology in a British-period market hall.
• İskele Icon Museumabout 14 km southEarly 12th-century domed church that keeps most of its original wall paintings.
• Salamisabout 25 km southAncient city founded in the 11th century BC, mostly Roman where it stands.