THE BUFFAVENTO CASTLE
According to the earliest
documents Buffavento was probably set as a Byzantine
watchtower in the 10th century and surrendered to
Guy de Lusignan in 1191. There are references that
there existed a fortress of similar type here before
Richard the Lionheart seized the island from Isaac
Commenus.
In medieval times the castle was known as
the Lion Castle, but its origins are less prosaic
and little is known about its early history. The
first definite evidence dates back to 1232 when the
wife of Balian of Ibelin took refuge in Buffavento
while her husband was campaigning against the
attempted occupation of the island by Frederick II.
Due to the position that is sometimes hard to reach,
the castle served as a political prison to keep
those found guilty of particular crimes against the
state. Among these was naïve John Visconti who had
tried his friend King Peter I of the Queen’s
infidelities only to find himself disbelieved and
found guilty of slander. After he was tortured and
put into prison in Kyrenia, he was transferred to
Buffavento where he was left starving to death.
Buffavento was also used as a perfect lookout for
coming ships that might have brought danger to the
island. Signals of fires on the top indicated
instant messages to Nicosia, Kyrenia, St Hilarion
and Kantara castle. Buffavento on the whole
represents a commanding observation post and a safe
place of refuge.
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