Kyrenia Landmarks and Monuments

(Kyrenia, Cyprus)

North Cyprus contains much heritage and within the town of Kyrenia you will discover a number of important landmarks and Cypriot monuments. These include the town's vibrant harbourfront, its two university campuses, and of course Kyrenia Castle.

Standing alongside the harbourfront and ranking amongst the most famous Cypriot landmarks in existence, Kyrenia Castle houses the popular Shipwreck Museum. The castle provides a commanding backdrop to the harbourfront and is awash with history.

Kyrenia Castle

Address: Girne Kalesi, Kyrenia, Cyprus
Being thought to have first been built by the Byzantines, as long ago as the 7th century, this incarnation of Kyrenia Castle dates back to the Venetian days of the 16th century. Rectangular in shape, the fortress is traditional in its appearance and features four bastions, which are sited at each corner. To enter the castle, you first need to cross the moat via the stone bridge, which leads you towards the Byzantine Chapel of St. George.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:45
Admission: charge

Kyrenia Harbour (Old Harbour)

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
Although Kyrenia Harbour may well be a former shadow of its past glory days, it still remains an incredibly important landmark for the town and region. In its heyday, the harbourfront was lined with an impressive selection of waterfront warehouses, which were used to store a variety of Cypriot fruit and vegetables, prior to export. The summer season sees much hustle and bustle around this ancient harbour, with tourists flocking here to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy one of the many daily boat tours. Nearby and on the easterly side of the town, a larger and more modern harbour is in place and heavily used by commercial ships and ferries, arriving here from mainland Turkey.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Universities

Address: Kyrenia, Cyprus
Home to no less than two separate universities and an array of schools and colleges, Kyrenia serves as an important town of education. The most important institution is the Girne American University (GAU), which features some 7,000 students and was founded as recently as 1985. Somewhat smaller and established in 1998, the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) is the number two university and manages several further campuses around the world, in the USA, London and also Prague.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free