Antiphonitis Monastery

This beautiful and monestery built in the twenty century is worth visiting not only out of historical isterest,but also for its imressive forest location.The church within the monestery is in particulary good condition, although some of the Byzantine murals have been removed or damager.Please be aware that a sturdy vehicle is needed on the road to the monastery.

Bellapais Abbey

This exquisite Gothic building in the beautiful mountain village of of Bellapais was built by Augustinian monks in 1205 AD.and was knows as ‘Abbey of our lady of the Mountain’.The name Bellapais comes from the Greek ward eqiskopia (meaning bishopric).The Frank,unable to pronounce the ward accurately referred to the building as ‘’Lapais’’.In time the Abbey came to be known as,’’Abbeye de la paix’’.

Buffavento Castle

At analtitude of 954 meters, Buffavento,which mean ‘’wind defying’’,has an apt name. Along with st.Hillarion and Kantara the caste was build by the Byzantines to ward off Arabattacks.The Lusignans,during their rule,extended and further fortifiel the castle,but tended to use thecastle as a prison rather than a military stronghold.The Venetians,finding they had litte use for the castle dismantled and abandoned it.Although there is relatively little left of the castle structure,a walk to the castle from the road below is a rewarding experience giving amazing views of the Girne mountain range to the east and west,the sea to the north,and the central plain to the south.

St. Hillarion Castle

This fairytale castle,said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for the film’’Fantasia’’,occupies the mountain-top that overloooks Girne.Originnally the site of the castle was the abode of a hermit named Hillarion upon which a monastery was later built in his honour.The building was later fortified by the Byzantines and the castle existed in conjunction with Kantara and Buffavento,along the northern coast,with the aim deterring attacks from seafaring Arabs.
During Lusignan rule the castle was further and was also used as the king’s summer residence.The castle fell into disuse during Venrtain times due to the development of new military technolong which made its upkeep unnecessary.