THE BUFFAVENTO CASTLE

The Buffavento Castle is on a hill top 950 metres above sea level. In the Lusignan period (1192-1489).

The Buffavento Castle is one of the three castles constructed on the Kyrenia Range as a line of defence against the Arab attacks - the other two being the St. Hilarion Castle, and the Kantara Castle, the castle is referred to as the "Lion Castle"; during this period the castle was used as a prison. In the Venetian period the Buffavento Castle was neglected, as castles on the coastline had emerged as being of greater use for the defence of Cyprus.

The castle consists of two sections: the lower castle and the higher section. The lower castle has an arched entrance. The rooms opposite the entrance were used for storing provisions and as dormitories. There is a cistern under the rooms. The red brick workmanship on the arches of gates and rooms is of the Byzantine style. Little has remained of the church that used to be here. ‘Buffavento’ means ‘Insubordinate to the Wind’. The Trodos Mountains and a beautiful scenery is visible from the castle.

To get to the castle take the main road that leads from Kyrenia and climbs via the Besparmak Mountain pass. As the road reaches its highest point and before descending the southern slopes take the turning to the right.

The road is accessible by car but the first 800 yards (730m) is rough, drive therefore carefully. It is a 4.2 mile (6.8km) drive along a road which is a military access route. There are red signs that forbid entrance strategically placed along the track. According to the signs you should not deviate from the route, but follow strictly. It is not recommended to go to the castle from the south via Güngör (Koutsovéndis) and monastery of Agios Ioannis Khrysostomos. Beyond the village the route is unmarked and an army camp blocks the way.

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