Kyrenia (or Girne, as the Turks call it) has an interesting old town, while most of the newer tourist developments are situated on the coastal strips on either side of town. The Kyrenia Castle was originally built by the Romans, but later additions have completely altered the building. Inside the castle are a 12th-century Byzantine chapel and a small museum, where you can see the world's oldest shipwreck, including cargo. At the corners of the castle are huge round towers that the Venetians built in 1540. The Archangelos Church houses an icon museum. Not far from the church are some 4th-century rock tombs. Behind the harbour are the ruins of a small Christian church. In the harbour itself is a small tower with a defensive chain that could be used to close the harbour to enemy ships. Behind the castle is the Anglican Church of St. Andrews and nearby is the city's bus station.
The Agha Cafer Pasha Mosque was built in 1590 in Ottoman style. The cemetery of Kyrenia dates from Ottoman times. There are 4 19th-century fountains in Kyrenia.
Not far from Kyrenia is the town of Bellapais, which is home to the 12th-century Bellapais Abbey. In the Kyrenia mountain range are Buffavento Castle, St. Hilarion Castle and Kantara Castle, all of which date from Byzantine times.
There are many hotels, apartments, bars, cafés and restaurants in Kyrenia. The town is on Cyprus' northern coast, 20 km north of Lefkosia (Nicosia).
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