St. Hilarion Castle Cyprus
Posted: Eylül 7 2008
St. Hilarion Castle
The caste took it name from a Saint who migrated to Cyprus after the invasion of Kudüs by Arabians and lived the last days of his life by praying. Then it is observed that a castle and a monastery were built in 10. century. St. Hilarion Castle which is 700 m. High from the sea level was built on a twins point. Although the certain building date of the castle is unknown, it is known that the castle was built for the aim of keeping and contolling of the island from the Arabian invasions came from north in 10 A.C. However it is suggested that it is modern with Bufavento, Kantara and Kyrenia Castles. The information about the castle which suggests that the island is a Byzantine built and was invaded by an English King Richard in 1191 is stil valid. Although some historical resources claim about the castle that Emperor II. Frederic wanted to dominate Cyprus in 1128.
They had built circle walls which are 500 metres and 9 towers. The castle consists of three main parts with each of its water store and supply stores. One of them is the one which is at the buttom is Lower Castle and it was built fort he horses and soldiers. It was started with a defence place surrounded by circle walls which keeps the main entrance. There was a place of monastery and Saint’s place in the Middle Castle. There were palace rooms, king palace and kitchen in the Higher Castle. The Venetians demolished the castle because they had no power to keep the castle to hinder the invasion of the castle by Ottoman Empire. After that event the castle was not used for the military aim until 1964. after the invasions of Greek in 1964, Turkish freedom fighters settled to the castle and kept the castle to evaluate the strategic location of the castle. Greeks set back by skimpy freedom fighters.