Girne Fortress

Girne: fortress with an ancient ship

Girne, also known as Kyrenia, is a picturesque seaside town in northern Cyprus, famous for its rich history, beautiful harbour and the dominant fortress that towers over the town. As you walk through the area, you will be immediately charmed by the mix of ancient monuments and contemporary life, where history meets modernity.

Watch out for traffic

The first impression of the city will be bad. Traffic jams, heavy traffic and only one access road into the city will frustrate you. Brace yourself against this and don’t be discouraged. However, the old town with its fortress will make up for it. And not only that. This city will win you over.

Girne Fortress is an unmissable landmark of the city and will immerse you in the past when you visit this historic building. Originally built by the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century to protect against Arab invasions, the fortress was later modified and expanded under the rule of the Venetians and eventually the Ottomans. Surrounding this monumental fortress are thick walls from which you will have a spectacular view. From one side you can see the sea and the harbour, from the other the mountains and greenery.

Impregnable fortress

As you head towards the entrance, walk around the high walls of Girne Fortress. They radiate a sense of impregnability and pride. No wonder. It has managed to withstand the flow of time and is now trying to tell the story of the entire city to its visitors. Flying proudly, the Turkish flags show who’s boss.

When you get to the pier there are a few steps up. You buy a ticket for about 2€ per adult and cross the narrow bridge to get in, children are of course free.

You go through the tunnel and at the end, you choose whether you want to go to the lookout to see the harbour or go into the bowels of this monster. We had all the dilemmas in the world, but in the end, curiosity won out and we set off to explore the inside of the fortress first. Views of the surrounding beauty were the last stop and it’s hard to say which was more beautiful.

Chapel

You can still take a detour through the room that will be on your left. Here you will find the preserved Corinthian columns. At one time it was a religious chapel. We didn’t know what we were looking at at first, but I was very interested in the Corinthian columns. Only later did we find a map of the area, where we learned what we were actually seeing and what the significance of this room was.

This small chapel was dedicated to St. George and is one of the oldest features of the fortress. Her simple Byzantine architecture and modest interior reflect the historical importance of religion in the area. As a chapel, it served as a place of prayer for the inhabitants and soldiers. From its position, it offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and the sea.

Courtyard

In just a few steps, you’ll find yourself standing in a vast courtyard. As you walk through, this section of the fortress offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of various eras. Inside, you’ll discover several museums and exhibitions that will truly immerse you in the rich past of this place. With several doors on every side, it might make your head spin, leaving you wondering where to start exploring first!

Take a moment to sit down—whether at a café or simply on one of the walls—and truly soak up the atmosphere. Although the fortress is huge and majestic, it somehow feels cozy and peaceful. The abundant greenery surrounding the ancient columns and ruins creates an oasis of calm. And best of all, the small number of visitors adds to the tranquility, making it the perfect hidden gem.

Meanwhile, the kids entertained themselves by playing with the local dogs. It’s clear that we were now in the Turkish part of Cyprus, as opposed to the Greek side – here, dogs seemed to be everywhere!

Our first steps led us to the cistern. At first glance, it seemed interesting, but trust me – don’t bother going in. Inside, only darkness awaits, and if you try to light it up with your phone, you’ll be disappointed. The cistern is full of dirty water and scattered garbage.

The oldest shipwreck lies in Girne

The most remarkable room in the fortress is, without a doubt, the Ship Museum. Here, you’ll find the remains of one of the oldest ships in the world, dating back to the 4th century B.C. This ancient Greek merchant ship perfectly illustrates the significance of Girne as a major trading port in the ancient Mediterranean. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the region’s maritime history.

But that’s not all. You can read the whole story of the ship in the pictures. Period photos show the discovery of the ship by divers in 1967 and the two years of work to get it above the sea surface again.

The ship was revealed by amphorae protruding from the sand, which intrigued the divers so much that they decided to search the bottom. Subsequently, these amphorae were transferred to the Girne Fortress, so you can see these silent witnesses of the past with your own eyes.

Completing the scenery is the image of the ship before its fateful departure from the harbour. And the entire museum tells a true story in the best possible way.

Museum of Archaeology in Girne

The Museum of Archaeology, which deals with burial rituals, is among the other interesting rooms. But it is not just an ordinary museum. It offers visitors illustrated graves with the equipment with which the deceased were buried.

Similarly, the collection of oil lamps in the Roman Room is fascinating. Apart from the exhibits, you will also find illustrations that show how lamps were made in the past. Not only were the children enthusiastic, but we adults were as well. The interactive approach to the exhibits piqued our curiosity even more, and we enjoyed the tour much more than in traditional museums.

Viewpoint

If you’re still not impressed by the fortress, take the stairs up to the observation deck. You can move freely on the roof and enjoy the view in all directions.

If you come here with smaller children, you must be careful. Railings are not very safe and a smaller child could easily fall. Even in some places you won’t find any railings.

You can buy ice cream for the kids here for a reward, but you won’t even need it. Girne was one of those sights where we didn’t have to bribe. They liked it and it managed to draw them into its history.

History and significance of the fortress

The fortress played a crucial role during the Crusades, especially when it was under the control of the Lusignan Kingdom. Later, in the 16th century, the Venetians strengthened its defenses by adding massive bastions to protect the city from Turkish attacks. Ultimately, in 1571, the Ottomans took control of the fortress and used it as both a military base and an administrative center for the region. This series of events highlights the fortress’s long and strategic significance throughout history.

Girne Fortress has survived many destructions and restorations, but its current appearance reflects mainly Venetian architecture. Today, the fortress is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Cyprus and brings to mind not only the local history, but also the strategic importance of the town during the ancient and medieval conflicts.

Girne and its surroundings

Girne is a fascinating town that offers more than just its impressive fortress. Afterwards, you can take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque harbor, where you can sip a glass of local wine or indulge in traditional Cypriot dishes. Additionally, Girne makes for an excellent base when exploring northern Cyprus, particularly the nearby mountains and historical sites like the serene Bellapais Monastery or the beautiful turtle beach of Alagadi.

We visited Girne at 5 pm after a full day at Alagadi Beach, and the fort was still open on our departure. So the opening hours on Google were not accurate, and we could not find any information about closing times at the fort.