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Kantara Castle
A peak and castle of Pentadaktylos: geography for the exam
The story
Kantara is the easternmost of the three medieval castles of the Pentadaktylos range, also called the Kyrenia range. The castle stands on a rock about 630 meters above the sea and guards the way into the Karpas peninsula. The first fortress here was most likely built by the Byzantines after the Arab raids. In 1191 the ruler of the island, Isaac Komnenos, fled here after his defeat by Richard the Lionheart. The present walls are linked to King James the First and the late 14th century. In the 16th century the Venetians abandoned the castle and partly dismantled it. Today it is in the north of the island, which the Republic of Cyprus has not controlled since 1974.
Kantara is a peak and castle of the Pentadaktylos range, like Kyparissovouno and Saint Hilarion, while Papoutsa is a peak in the Troodos mountains. The Cyprus Mail quotes the question “which peak is not in the Pentadaktylos range”, with these options, as an example of an exam question.
Visiting
You cross to the north at a checkpoint with a passport or ID card; from the east the nearest crossings are Deryneia, Strovilia and Pergamos. Car insurance from the Republic of Cyprus does not apply in the north; it is bought separately, usually at the checkpoint. The road up is narrow and mountainous, and the last stretch to the castle is on foot. Check the opening hours and entry fee in advance.
Photos
Sources
- Department of Antiquities, Cyprus — Important archaeological sites and monuments in occupied Cyprus: Kantara Castle
- Cyprus Geological Survey Department — Geology of Cyprus (Pentadaktylos–Kyrenia zone, the Kantara formation in the eastern part of the range)
- CVAR Severis (Centre of Visual Arts and Research) — Did you know: Kantara Castle
- Cyprus Mail — Trying to trick people with cheap gotchas: the Cyprus citizenship exam (sample question about the peaks of Pentadaktylos)
This text was written by AI from open sources. An expert will still check it. Found a mistake? Write to us. Support
