Kantara Castle
Encyclopedia
The Kantara Castle is the easternmost of the castles situated on the Kyrenia mountain range
in Cyprus
. Laying at 630 metres above sea level it is well positioned to control the entrances to Karpass Peninsula
and Mesaoria
plain.
It is believed that the Byzantines
built the castle in the 10th century as a lookout post against raiding Arabs. The first historical mention of the castle is in connection with Richard the Lionheart
's captured Cyprus in 1191. At that time Isaac Comnenus, the Byzantine ruler of the island, took refuge at Kantara Castlee.
Later, in 1228 the Royalists so badly battered the walls that they had to be almost entirely rebuilt. Then, the nobility used the castle as a lodge when they hunted mountain goats with tame leopards.
The name 'Kantara' is believed to be originated by the arabic word 'qantara' which means small bridge.
Kyrenia mountain range
The Kyrenia Mountains are a long, narrow chain of mountains that runs approximately along the north coast of Cyprus. The mountains are primarily limestone, with some marble. The highest mountain, Kyparissovouno, is in elevation. The western half of the range is also known as the Pentadactylos...
in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Laying at 630 metres above sea level it is well positioned to control the entrances to Karpass Peninsula
Karpass Peninsula
The Karpass Peninsula , also known as Karpasia or Kırpaşa is a long, finger-like peninsula that is one of the most prominent geographical features of the island of Cyprus. Its farthest extent is Cape Apostolos Andreas, and its major population centre is the town of Rizokarpaso...
and Mesaoria
Mesaoria
The Mesaoria is a broad, sweeping plain which makes up the centre of the island of Cyprus.-Geography:The Mesaoria plain is bounded on the east and west by the Mediterranean Sea, on the south by the Troodos mountains and on the north by the Kyrenia mountains. It has an area of approximately...
plain.
It is believed that the Byzantines
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
built the castle in the 10th century as a lookout post against raiding Arabs. The first historical mention of the castle is in connection with Richard the Lionheart
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
's captured Cyprus in 1191. At that time Isaac Comnenus, the Byzantine ruler of the island, took refuge at Kantara Castlee.
Later, in 1228 the Royalists so badly battered the walls that they had to be almost entirely rebuilt. Then, the nobility used the castle as a lodge when they hunted mountain goats with tame leopards.
Links
- Photos of Kantara Castle (rus)
The name 'Kantara' is believed to be originated by the arabic word 'qantara' which means small bridge.