The biggest mountain-side medieval castle in Cyprus
Saint Hilarion Castle is a medieval fortress located in the Kyrenia mountain range of Cyprus. Due to its strategic location, the castle controlled the crucial pass road between Kyrenia and Nicosia. It is the best-preserved of the three main strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, the others being Buffavento and Kantara.
Despite its name, the castle is not associated with St. Hilarion of Palestine but rather with a lesser-known hermit saint. According to legend, this saint fled to Cyprus after the Arab conquest of the Holy Land and lived as a hermit on the hilltop where the castle now stands. A monastery dedicated to him may have existed before the castle was built, though there is no solid evidence to confirm this.
The Byzantines began fortifying the site in the 11th century as part of a defensive network against Arab raids along the coastline. Saint Hilarion, along with Buffavento and Kantara, provided protection for the island. The castle was further expanded under the Lusignan dynasty, and it is believed that Lusignan kings may have used it as a summer residence. In the 13th century, Saint Hilarion Castle became a focal point in the struggle for control of Cyprus between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Regent John of Ibelin. Later, in the 15th century, the Venetians dismantled parts of the castle to reduce maintenance and garrison costs.
The castle is divided into three main sections: the lower, middle, and upper wards. The lower and middle wards had economic and military functions, including stables and barracks for soldiers. The Prince John Tower, named after a Lusignan prince, is located on a cliff above the lower ward.
The upper ward, which housed the royal family, is enclosed by a 1.4-meter-thick Byzantine wall built with rough masonry. The main entrance, constructed by the Lusignans, features a pointed arch and is guarded by a semicircular tower to the east. Within this section, there is a courtyard situated between two peaks. To the north-east, a ruined kitchen stands, while to the west lie the remains of the royal apartments, believed to date back to the 13th or 14th century. These apartments originally had two floors and a basement containing a cistern. The ground floor, standing at 7 meters in height, features a pointed barrel vault, a typical architectural feature of medieval fortresses.
One of the most famous features of Saint Hilarion Castle is the “Queen’s Window,” a beautifully carved window in the royal apartments. This window, associated with Queen Eleanor, overlooks the northern coast of Cyprus, offering breathtaking views of the Lapithos plains and the Mediterranean Sea.
Despite centuries of partial destruction, Saint Hilarion Castle remains a significant historical and architectural landmark. Its well-preserved ruins and stunning views make it one of the most popular medieval sites in Cyprus, attracting visitors interested in the island’s Byzantine and Lusignan heritage. The castle’s blend of history, legend, and dramatic scenery continues to captivate historians and tourists alike.