Kantara Castle of the Crusaders

The impregnable Crusader castle on the rocky mountain cliffs of the main mountain range of Northern Cyprus

Walk among the ruins of Kantara Castle743 viewsA visitor stands on a rocky path among the old walls and arched openings of Kantara Castle. Beyond the ruins, pine-covered mountain slopes and distant ridges of Northern Cyprus are visible.

In the courtyard of Kantara Castle756 viewsA female visitor stands among stone ruins in the inner part of Kantara Castle. Beyond an old wall and an arched passage, there is a view of forest-covered mountain slopes and the distant plain of Northern Cyprus.

View of Kaplıca village from the mountain713 viewsFrom the mountain slope, there is a view of a compact village with low, light-colored houses and red roofs. Beyond the built-up area stretch dry fields, individual trees, and a coastal road; seawater is visible in the upper part of the frame.

Arched chambers in the inner courtyard of Kantara Castle871 viewsIn the inner courtyard of Kantara Castle, a long stone wall with three arched openings closed by grilles has been preserved. The slope in front of the wall is covered with dry grass, shrubs, and small wildflowers.

Vaulted Room of Kantara Castle869 viewsInside the stone chamber, a low vault of roughly laid stone has been preserved. A narrow opening is visible in the end wall, through which daylight enters the dimly lit room.

Vaulted room of Kantara Castle707 viewsInside the stone room, a low vault of roughly worked blocks has been preserved. A narrow window opening in the thick wall is brightly lit from outside, while the floor and walls remain in semi-darkness.

Rocky ridge near Kantara Castle725 viewsA narrow mountain ridge is formed of light limestone cliffs and covered with sparse pine forest. A trail runs along the summit among the rocks, and beyond the rocky outcrops, the neighbouring slopes of Northern Cyprus’s mountain range are visible.

Kantara Castle wall above the plain708 viewsThe stone wall and low parapet of Kantara Castle run along the edge of a rocky slope. From the height, there is a wide view over a dry, hilly plain divided into patches of vegetation and fields.

Stone Steps of Kantara Castle700 viewsUneven stone steps climb the slope along an old fortress wall. Low shrubs and pine trees grow on both sides of the path, while the wall masonry is built of light local stone.

Fortress wall of Kantara above the mountain road892 viewsThe stone wall of Kantara Castle stands on a steep rocky ledge amid sparse vegetation. Below, a mountain road winds its way, beyond which there is a view of wooded ridges and the pale plain of Northern Cyprus.

Arched passage in the inner courtyard of Kantara Castle739 viewsIn the castle’s inner courtyard, rough stone walls and a narrow arched entrance leading into a dark room are visible. An earthen path has survived in the recess between the rocks, while grass and shrubs have overgrown the masonry and cracks in the walls.

Road below from a loophole of Kantara Castle736 viewsView through an uneven opening in the stone wall of Kantara Castle onto a winding paved road at the foot of the mountain. Below, a serpentine road stretches among rocks and sparse vegetation, while in the distance a broad plain of Northern Cyprus opens up.

Narrow arrow slit in the stone wall of Kantara Castle901 viewsA narrow vertical arrow slit, framed by an arch of darker stones, has been preserved in the massive stone wall. The broad vault above it is built of rough light-colored stone and bears traces of time.

Descent in the inner courtyard of Kantara Castle720 viewsA stone staircase with metal railings leads downward along the massive wall of an ancient fortress. An entrance lies in shadow in a narrow opening in the wall, while the masonry and ledges around it are overgrown with grass and shrubs.

Ruins of the fortress walls of Kantara Castle904 viewsThe stone walls and towers of Kantara Castle rise among rocks and dense trees. From the height of the fortress, there is a view of the wooded slopes and distant hills of Northern Cyprus; a narrow path stretches along the slope below.

Fortification walls of Kantara Castle881 viewsFrom above, stone walls and tower-like ruins built into a steep rocky slope are visible. Narrow passages and a fenced area among pines emphasize the inaccessible location of Kantara Castle in the mountains of Northern Cyprus.

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