St. Hilarian castle named to a saint, who is believed to have lived here. This castle was also involved in the protection chain from attacks by the Arabs including castles in Kyrenia, Buffavento and Kantara.
January 18, 2009
Famagusta, Gazimagusa
Quote of the post: “Much of Cyprus is an outdoor museum, but only here is so much historical interest concentrated, that is a showplace for all.” - www.famagusta.com
Famagusta - Gazimagusa (The Ghost Town), was famous for a small commercial port and fishing village. It also suffered the combined catastrophes of earthquakes and raids by Arab pirates. It is a region which contains historical remains and cultural signs of various civilizations.
Most of the fortification can still be seen, and Beware of ! You may divert/drive to nearby military base area. The main St. Nicholas cathedral was turned into a mosque (Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque), and the nearby bazaar and market places were developed, can still be seen.

If you are in Famagusta, just execute the following commands in sequence - (Enter, Roam around, see, do, buy, eat, drink, sleep, Exit). There is no scheduled public transportation available, so it would be better to have a car/taxi (If you don't have a private tour/excursion).

This tourist heaven, also known as a center of science university city, hosts a largest university of the island. You can enjoy the world famous Famagusta Cultural & Arts Festival in the month of June-July.
In a nutshell, if you spent one full day in Famagusta, will reveal the history of Cyprus.

Just some Km away, You can also roam around the famous place Salamis Ruins. If you just go towards Bafra, you can even enjoy the golden sandy beaches there. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
Famagusta - Gazimagusa (The Ghost Town), was famous for a small commercial port and fishing village. It also suffered the combined catastrophes of earthquakes and raids by Arab pirates. It is a region which contains historical remains and cultural signs of various civilizations.
Most of the fortification can still be seen, and Beware of ! You may divert/drive to nearby military base area. The main St. Nicholas cathedral was turned into a mosque (Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque), and the nearby bazaar and market places were developed, can still be seen.
If you are in Famagusta, just execute the following commands in sequence - (Enter, Roam around, see, do, buy, eat, drink, sleep, Exit). There is no scheduled public transportation available, so it would be better to have a car/taxi (If you don't have a private tour/excursion).
This tourist heaven, also known as a center of science university city, hosts a largest university of the island. You can enjoy the world famous Famagusta Cultural & Arts Festival in the month of June-July.
In a nutshell, if you spent one full day in Famagusta, will reveal the history of Cyprus.


Just some Km away, You can also roam around the famous place Salamis Ruins. If you just go towards Bafra, you can even enjoy the golden sandy beaches there. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
Kyrenia Harbour, Girne
Kyrenia Harbour is an evergreen place to visit. View to the harbour, from the top of the Kyrenia castle is really soothing and touching. You can watch the array of yachts, boats at the inside circumference of the harbour, looks like the semi-circled moon.
Kyrenia Castle, NC
This castle was built to protect the town against raids from the Arab. Kyrenia (Girne) castle structure changed at time to time. Using the Byzantium style of fortification, a new entrance, square and horseshoe-shaped towers, embrasures for archer, and dungeons were added. From 1974, the Department of Antiquities and museums has been responsible for all aspects of castle's preservation and use.
We directly reached here from Nicosia. You can easily search for the place if you are coming by Kyrenia town center way. Beside it, there is car parking place (If you are coming from back). Other way to reach here is, Park your car near Kyrenia Municipality, walk the Kyrenia harbour and at the end you can see the big castle. You can get the tickets above stairs (6.5 Euros per person).

We taken many photographs here. See "Dil Chahta Hai" (Bollywood movie) style photograph and other group photographs. I missed it during my first visit to NC. I have visited this place in the day as well as night time. You can get entry inside the castle only until 3:30 pm.

You will always see the crowd all around and have the drink/food in the nearby restaurants, bars. You can view the amazing Kyrenia harbour view from top of the castle. From each side/corner of the castle, you can enjoy panoramic and soothing views. Even some of us (me 2) trying to hold the castle on our hands (just for a creative pose :-)

You can visit the east wing, exhibition hall, Lunsignan Tower, Dungenos, Venetian tower, and Shipwreck Museum inside it. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
We directly reached here from Nicosia. You can easily search for the place if you are coming by Kyrenia town center way. Beside it, there is car parking place (If you are coming from back). Other way to reach here is, Park your car near Kyrenia Municipality, walk the Kyrenia harbour and at the end you can see the big castle. You can get the tickets above stairs (6.5 Euros per person).
We taken many photographs here. See "Dil Chahta Hai" (Bollywood movie) style photograph and other group photographs. I missed it during my first visit to NC. I have visited this place in the day as well as night time. You can get entry inside the castle only until 3:30 pm.


You will always see the crowd all around and have the drink/food in the nearby restaurants, bars. You can view the amazing Kyrenia harbour view from top of the castle. From each side/corner of the castle, you can enjoy panoramic and soothing views. Even some of us (me 2) trying to hold the castle on our hands (just for a creative pose :-)
You can visit the east wing, exhibition hall, Lunsignan Tower, Dungenos, Venetian tower, and Shipwreck Museum inside it. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
Salamis Ruins, Famagusta
Ruins of Salamis (Salamis Ruins) is situated alongside the sandy beach. Salamis was known as the important ancient city in NC and famous for its ruins. It was ruined due to raids, earthquakes, and tidal waves.

You need plenty of time to visit it because it is approx 1 Km long site to see. The crowd was enjoying here and came for the picnic (As we saw near the car parking area). When I visited NC first time, we were late. So just taken some snaps from outside and enjoyed near the promenade (pier) area. I think last entry timing is 4 pm approx.

You can watch out - the amphitheater, the Gymnasium, mosaics, the Roman baths, ruined pillars, inside it. The amphitheater is sometimes used as a living venue for theater and concerts to show north Cyprus tradition. Have a hat/cap to cover the head during summer season.

Salamis is an easily reachable destination from all parts of NC - Kyrenia, Famagusta, or Iskele, and famous among the tourists here.
Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
You need plenty of time to visit it because it is approx 1 Km long site to see. The crowd was enjoying here and came for the picnic (As we saw near the car parking area). When I visited NC first time, we were late. So just taken some snaps from outside and enjoyed near the promenade (pier) area. I think last entry timing is 4 pm approx.
You can watch out - the amphitheater, the Gymnasium, mosaics, the Roman baths, ruined pillars, inside it. The amphitheater is sometimes used as a living venue for theater and concerts to show north Cyprus tradition. Have a hat/cap to cover the head during summer season.
Salamis is an easily reachable destination from all parts of NC - Kyrenia, Famagusta, or Iskele, and famous among the tourists here.
Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.
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