Buffavento Castle

The Buffavento castle in Kyrenia, which was originally constructed as a watchtower by the Byzantines and then covered into a castle by the Lusignian’s, is at a summit 950 meters from sea level.

In the Lusignan period (1192-1489), the Buffavento Castle was referred to as the "Lion Castle"; during this period the castle was used as a prison.

In the Venetian period the Buffavento Castle was neglected, as castles on the coastline had emerged as being of greater use for the defence of Cyprus. The castle consists of two sections: the lower castle and the higher section.

The lower section of Buffavento Castle has an arched entrance. The rooms opposite the entrance were used for storing provisions and as dormitories. There is a cistern under the rooms.

The red brick workmanship on the arches of gates and rooms is of the Byzantine style. Little has remained of the church that used to be here. ‘Buffavento’ means ‘Insubordinate to the Wind’. The Trodos Mountains and a beautiful scenery is visible from the Buffavento Castle.