Kyrenia is an idyllic Mediterranean town located on the north coast of Cyprus with a population of approximately 52,000 inhabitants.  It has remained in the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, a demarcation on the island solely recognized by Turkey, after the former invaded Cyprus in 1974.  This event spurred the evacuation of Greek Cypriots, who had predominantly inhabited the town, into the southern region of the island.  Kyrenia is now largely inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and a significant population of British expatriates.

Archaeological evidence gathered around the area suggests that the settlement of Kyrenia dates as far back as to the Neolithic period.  Mycenaean, Geometric, and Achaean tombs discovered in the area also suggests that Kyrenia was settled by these civilizations as well.  By the end of the Trojan War, settlers from Achaea came and established their communities in the region.

Cyprus came under the Byzantine Empire in 395.  During this time, the Byzantine emperors armed Kyrenia's Roman castle, which offered its inhabitants protection and security and consequently, facilitated the growth and affluence of the town.  When Cyprus came under the Venetian rule in 1489, Kyrenia Castle was revamped to accommodate a new military threat with the use of canons and gun powder, which were the latest weaponry in of that era.  In 1571, Kyrenia came under siege by the victorious Ottoman army.

During the Ottoman rule, the town grew in decline as it was transformed into a garrison town.  Its Christian inhabitants were expelled from the fortified city.  The town revived again when maritime trade with Asia Minor and the Aegean islands resumed through bribes and gifts paid to local Turkish officials.  Social and political reforms in 1856 granted greater religious freedom to the various citizens of the empire, encouraging the Christian inhabitants of the surrounding villages to settle back in the town.

Under the British rule, Kyrenia developed into a modern bustling town with its own educational and social institutions, road networks connecting it to the capital, and an expanded harbor to accommodate increasing trade with the Turkish mainland.  It also developed into a favorite destination for wealthy Nicosia vacationing families.  It eventually grew in reputation with international tourists at the onset of the Greco-Turkish war.  Kyrenia survived with the flourishing tourist trade, in spite of the depression brought on by the conflict.

The town grew in economic and cultural importance even after independence from British rule.  The Greek, Maronite, Turk, Latin, Armenian, and British inhabitants co-existed and cooperated with their daily affairs.  The invasion of Turkey in 1974 disrupted this peaceful existence and forced the town’s Greek inhabitants to flee and abandon their homes.  Nowadays, the remaining Greek Cypriot inhabitants of the district are relocated in a legal Cyprus controlled area.

Yet, despite its troubles, Kyrenia is a well-known holiday destination in Northern Cyprus, whereby it is most recognized for its quaint and small harbor sheltered by a massive ancient Byzantine Castle and backdropped with the rugged beauty of its jagged mountains.  During its heyday before the invasion, the harbor was lined with warehouses wherein the fruits from the countryside were stored while awaiting to be exported.  The harbor is now mostly used by yachts and small fishing boats, with the harbor lined with white-washed houses, shops, and numerous travernas and restaurants that come alive in the evening.  A few miles east of the town center is a larger harbor that is used by commercial fishing and ferries from the Turkish mainland.

The Kyrenia Castle, which lies at the entrance to the town’s famous harbor, is one of the town’s most popular tourist attractions.  This well-preserved castle has stood guard over the town’s port since the roman times, and was consequently fortified by the Byzantines and enlarged by the Lusignans.  However, the current predominant appearance of the castle dates back to the Venetian rule of Cyprus in 1489.  Concerned with the invasion of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire, the Venetians enlarged and thickened the castle in anticipation of artillery attacks and siege by the Turks.  The main features of this reconstruction are the huge round towers and a protected gatehouse that had replaced the original drawbridge.  Nonetheless, the three main castles of the Kyrenia Castle are quite distinguishable and identified as the Byzantine castle from 330 AD to 1192, the Crusader Castle from 1192 to 1472, and the Venetian castle from 1472 to 1570.

Found inside the castle is the 12th century Byzantine church of Saint George, Lusignan royal apartments, the tomb of the Ottoman Admiral, Sadik Pasha, dungeons, a garrison, and the towers.  Also housed in the castle is North Cyprus’ Shipwreck Museum.  The museum exhibits the remains of a 4th century Greek ship, which was discovered by the Greek Cypriot diver, Andreas Kariolou, in 1967.  It was salvage near Kyrenia together with its cargo, and was extensively covered by the National Geographic Society.

Aside from the Crusader Castle by the harbor, Kyrenia boasts of other architectural and historical attractions found in the town.  Amongst these is the St. Hilarion Castle, which was built to defend the town from invading Arabs.  It was named after St. Hilarion who was thought to have sought refuge in Cyprus after Arab raids in the Holy Land.  It is located on the Kyrenia mountain range and was originally a monastery that was built in the 10th century.  The castle was first mentioned in the 1191 documentation of Richard the Lionheart’s campaign. The castle had gone through a rich history in its entire existence, including invasions from the Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, and the Ottomans.

The Buffavento Castle is one of the castles constructed to defend Kyrenia from Arab attacks.  Its name is derived from the phrase “buffeted by the wind” as it is situated on a hilltop and stands as the highest amongst the three castles.  It was known as the “Lion Castle” in the medieval times and had been used as a watch tower and as a political prison at different periods in its existence.

Kyrenia has a number of notable monasteries that have, in one way or the other, figured in the history of the town.  One of these is the Bellapais Monastery, which sits in the majestic Five Fingers Mountains.  The structure is a fine example of Gothic architecture, and is thought to have been constructed between 1198 and 1205.  It is also known as the Peace Monastery, having derived its name from the French phrase "Abbaye de la paix.  Another is the Sourpmagar Monastery, which was founded around 1000 AD as a Coptic monastery, and was dedicated to Alexandrian
Saint Makarios.  During the 15th century, the monastery was passed on to the Armenians, who used it as a stop off point on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  The monastery reflects the culture and dwelling of the Armenians in Northern Cyprus, although much of the monastery now lies in ruin.

Other notable attractions in Kyrenia include the Gothic Anthipanitis Church, which boasts of frescos that dates back to the 15th century; Hazreti Omer Mosque and Tomb, where the remains of the 7th century commander Hazreti Omer and his men are found who have all died defending Kyrenia from Arab invasions; the Roman port at Lambousa; the Icon Museum, which is incorporated with the 18th church and boasts a range of icons from the history of Kyrenia and other surrounding areas; and the Folk Arts Museum, where visitors can explore traditional Cypriot architecture, textile, embroidery, and other traditional  everyday items.

In recent years, Kyrenia has not only been attracting tourists to its doorsteps, but property buyers and investors as well.  The property market is booming and Kyrenia properties are in high demand, as more investors learn to appreciate Mediterranean beauty and see its potential for significant capital appreciation as prices are predict to rise with the town’s intention to further develop its tourism trade.  In addition, the relatively low property prices, the availability of beachfront properties, excellent sites, the agreeable weather,  and a low cost of living makes Kyrenia properties attractive for as a holiday home or as a property investment.

Kyrenia allows for freehold ownership for an apartment, villa or a piece of land of up to 4,013 square meters by a non-Cypriot buyer.  All commercial banks in North Cyprus offers mortgage facilities with loans in foreign currency of up 80% of the property’s value.  The term of these mortgages is usually between 7 and 10 years, with no restrictions when reselling the property.

Some of the much sought-after locations in Kyrenia include the towns and villages of Alsancak, Tatlisu, Lapta, Esentepe, Bellapais, West Kyrenia, and Ozankoy.