St. Hilarion is one of the
most amazing Castles that I have visited. Located in the Northern part of
Cyprus Island, in the designated area of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The location is out of a fairy
tale book and the Castle has the most amazing views. You have to pay to get in,
but is just a small fee, and is a must see if you cross the border from South
to North. We hired a car in the Southern side, but then we hat to buy a new car
insurance (not expensive and recommended to be on the safe side)
to
circulate in the Northern part of the island, as if there is an accident, the
insurance will only cover until the border.
Get comfortable clothes and
shoes, and be ready for a good 1 hour hiking.
As mentioned in the official website:” St. Hilarion is the
finest and best preserved of three Byzantine/Crusader castles in North Cyprus.
Its towers, walls and gateways spiral and melt into the peaks of the Kyrenia
mountain presenting a fairy-tale sight. Rose Macauley described it as ‘a
picture book castle for elf-kings’ and legend persuades us to believe that it
was the inspiration for Disney’s castle in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs”.
During your ascending you will find different points
of interest, places to take amazing photos, and there is also a coffee shop
inside serving delicious local lemonade.
