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Castle · Ancient Monument

Lusignan tower

Kyrenia · In the area occupied by Turkey since 1974

Lusignan tower: a castle in Kyrenia, in the area occupied by Turkey since 1974. Scheduled under the Antiquities Law of 1935 in 1935. 12 dated records of work on it, 1557 to 1957, with sources.

Bellapais Vounous

Kyrenia District, about 35°20′ N, 33°18′ E

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The pin marks the village of Kyrenia, not the building. Approximate location. Open in the map →

Protection

Antiquities Law
  1. 10 May 1935

    Scheduled in 1935, First Schedule, Kyrenia item 5

    “The Castle in the town of Kyrenia”

    Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], First Schedule, District of Kyrenia, item 5, p. 327, PDF p. 347 Online

What was done when

14 records
  1. 1557

    Venetian-era castle at Kerynia; renovated and fortified, with towers and curtain walls measured by Leonardo Dona in 1557; Savorgnano repaired it in 1562.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “The castle has a cistern for storing water and also wells.”

    Nasa Patapiou, "Kerynia during the Venetian Rule", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 1 (January–March 2009), pp. 13–29, p. 24.

  2. 1948

    A survey of the castle was carried out for the Department of Antiquities by C. N. Johns, late of the Palestine Department of Antiquities, assisted by J. S. Last.

    Study

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia , a survey of the castle was carried out for the Department by Mr. C. N. Johns”

    Colonial Office, Annual Report on Cyprus for the Year 1948 (London: HMSO, 1949), p. 43

  3. 1950

    The larger part of the castle was taken over from the Police, who had used it as a training school, and a five-year programme of repairs and improvements started, financed by a Colonial Development and Welfare grant.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “The larger part of Kyrenia Castle was taken over from the Police”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1950 (London: HMSO, 1951), p. 53

  4. 1951

    A prison camp in the castle, opened in December 1950 and kept until May 1951, worked for the Department of Antiquities on excavation and clearance, which greatly improved the castle's appearance.

    Excavation

    As printed

    “consisted of excavation and clearance which greatly improved the Castle's appearance”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 43

  5. 1951

    Further improvements were undertaken with Colonial Development and Welfare funds.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia Castle and Bellapais further improvements were undertaken with funds provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Scheme”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 12

  6. 1952

    A detachment of convicts lodged in the castle during the winter did clearance work there for the Department of Antiquities.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “A detachment of convicts was accommodated during the winter at Kyrenia Castle where they were engaged in clearance work for the Department of Antiquities”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 44

  7. 1952

    The improvements under a Colonial Development and Welfare grant were more than half completed, and electric light was installed in various underground passages.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “lopment and Welfare grant, are more than half completed and electric light has been installed in various underground passages”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 9

  8. 1952

    Unsuspected remains of the Byzantine castle were located below the present level of the courtyard, and light was thrown on the level and limits of the outer ward on the west side of the Frankish castle.

    Excavation

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia Castle unsuspected remains of the Byzantine castle have been located below the present level of the courtyard”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 58

  9. 1954

    Works on the west and north ranges brought the improvements under the Colonial Development and Welfare grant near to completion.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia Castle works on the west and north ranges brought the improvements”

    Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127

  10. 1955

    The five-year programme of repairs and improvements could not be completed as planned because the castle was used for security purposes from July, but headway was made, notably with the repair of the west range.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “The five-year programme of repairs and improvements at Kyrenia Castle could not be completed as planned”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1955 (London: HMSO, 1956), p. 79

  11. 1956

    The approach bridge was made safe, masonry floors were laid throughout much of the medieval accommodation, and the missing upper floor in part of the east range was restored.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia Castle the approach bridge was made safe”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1956 (London: HMSO, 1957), p. 89

  12. 1957

    The vaulted roof of the north section of the west range was repaired and part of the ramp leading to the battlements was paved.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “At Kyrenia Castle the vaulted roof of the north section of the west range was repaired”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1957 (London: HMSO, 1958), p. 87

  13. Undated

    Chamber in east wing restored to house a Hellenistic period shipwreck raised from the sea-bed.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “Kyrenia Castle, one of the large chambers in the east”

    A. PAPAGEORGHIOU, "Activities of the Department of Antiquities in the Field of the Conservation and Restoration of Ancient Monuments 1960-73", Cyprus Today vol. 11, no. 5-6 (September–December 1973), pp. 11–20, p. 15.

  14. Undated

    Restoration place of the Kyrenia ship.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “She was restored in Kyrenia Castle.”

    G. Cariolou, "Andreas M. Kariolou", Cyprus Today vol. 17, no. 6 (November–December 1979), pp. 17–19, p. 18.

In the literature

16
  1. 1963

    Used as concert venue by Haifa Symphony Orchestra, September 1963; no heritage content stated.

    As printed

    “packed appreciative audiences at Kyrenia Castle and the ancient theatres of Salamis and Curium”

    Anon., "The Arts", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 5 (September–October 1963), p. 35.

  2. 1973

    Among most visited monuments; 113,500 visitors in 1973; in northern occupied area after 1974.

    As printed

    “Kyrenia Castle 113,500”

    Sophoclis Hadjisavvas, "The Ancient Monuments of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 23, no. 2 (April–June 1985), pp. 12–16, p. 15.

  3. 1975

    Air-conditioning equipment for the Kyrenia Ship gallery installed there by UNFICYP personnel under UNESCO adviser direction.; in the occupied north after 1974 (report as printed)

    As printed

    “this equipment was installed in Kyrenia Castle by UNFICYP personnel.”

    Anon., "Interesting Findings of Archaeological Excavations", Cyprus Today vol. 14, no. 3-4 (May–August 1976), pp. 37–38, p. 38.

  4. Undated

    Built in the late Byzantine period.

    As printed

    “48. Kyrenia Castle, built in the late Byzantine period.”

    Anon., "Stamps with Themes Taken from the Occupied Area of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 22, no. 2-3 (May–December 1984), pp. 19–26, p. 23.

  5. Undated

    Built under Lusignan rule on a Byzantine site; maintained in good condition; besieged by Genoese in 1374, attacked by Mamelukes in 1426; now a setting for dramatic productions.

    As printed

    “Under Lusignan rule a castle was built on the site of a Byzantine one which to this day is maintained in quite good condition.”

    Anon., "Kyrenia Attractions", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 2 (March–April 1963), pp. 6–7, p. 6.

  6. Undated

    Castle largely based on Byzantine foundations, strengthened by Byzantines; Lusignan royal apartments, Venetian defensive works; Ottoman military use.

    As printed

    “The castle and walls today are largely based on the Byzantine foundations.”

    Rina Catselli, "Kyrenia", Cyprus Today vol. 17, no. 6 (November–December 1979), pp. 2–9, p. 4.

10 more
  1. Undated

    Crusader castle in Kyrenia where the ancient Greek merchant ship and its amphoras are on exhibit.

    As printed

    “In the Crusader Castle of Kyrenia, Cyprus, there is on exhibit an ancient Greek merchant ship”

    Susan Womer Katzev, "Kyrenia II: The Return Journey", Cyprus Today vol. 24, no. 4 (October–December 1986), pp. 13–22, p. 15.

  2. Undated

    Described as a formidable castle hugging the small horse-shoe harbour, part of the town's history.

    As printed

    “the formidable strength of the castle hugging it”

    Anon., "Editorial", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 1 (January–March 2009), p. 1.

  3. Undated

    Last great reconstruction by Venetian stone masons; built with Kyrenia Limestone from nearby quarries.

    As printed

    “Fig. 12 demonstrates the superb craftsmanship of the Venetian stone masons in the last great reconstruction of the castle.”

    Williams Dreghorn, "Geology and Scenery in the Kyrenia District", Cyprus Today vol. 8, no. 1 (January–March 1970), pp. 13–21, p. 20.

  4. Undated

    Medieval Crusaders' Castle in the harbour town of Kyrenia.

    As printed

    “a tiny yacht harbour in the shadows of a giant Medieval Crusaders' Castle”

    S. Patsalides, "In Search of the Unusual Tourist Treasures of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 2-3 (April–September 1969), pp. 12–17, p. 17.

  5. Undated

    Medieval castle cited as a monument usable for presenting drama and music; its condition could be improved.

    As printed

    “ancient monuments like the Kyrenia Castle, Bellapais Abbey, can be used more”

    S. Patsalides, "The Contribution of our Cultural Heritage to Cyprus Tourism", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 2-3 (April–September 1969), pp. 8–11, p. 9.

  6. Undated

    Medieval castle of the port of Kerynia, recalling passages of Frankish knights and Venetians.

    As printed

    “Le joli petit port de Kerynia, avec son chateau medieval”

    GEORGES TENEKIDES, "Chypre", Cyprus Today vol. 4, no. 1-4 (January–July 1966), pp. 20–27, p. 24.

  7. Undated

    Old Crusader castle in Kyrenia, built in Byzantine times and later developed by the Venetians; used as a stage for a second performance.

    As printed

    “the old Crusader castle at Kyrenia in the north of the island”

    R.V.E. Hodson, "Shakespeare in Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 3 (May–June 1963), pp. 24–25, p. 24.

  8. Undated

    Princess Margaret visited the castle and was again shown round by Dr. Karageorghis.

    As printed

    “visited Kyrenia Castle where she was again shown round by Dr. Karageorghis.”

    Anon., "Princess Margaret Visits Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 1-2 (January–April 1974), pp. 48–49, p. 48.

  9. Undated

    Three rooms transformed into Shipwreck Museum for the 4th century B.C. Greek ship found by an American mission; work stopped after 1974.

    As printed

    “led to three rooms of the Kyrenia castle being transformed into the unique Shipwreck Museum”

    M.C. Loulloupis, "The National Archaeological Museums of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 23, no. 2 (April–June 1985), pp. 5–11, p. 8.

  10. Undated

    Visited by symposium members before the last day's work.

    As printed

    “Before beginning the last day's work, the members visited Bellapais and Kyrenia Castle.”

    Anon., "International Homeric Symposium", Cyprus Today vol. 10, no. 5-6 (September–December 1972), pp. 29–31, p. 31.

Pictures

15

In our archive · 12

British School at Athens1 photograph1888
  • British School at Athens, Archive, BSA SPHS Image Collection, BSA SPHS/1/0426.1798, «Cyprus, Kyrenia: Byzantine Fortress», 1888 Online
Costas and Rita Severis Foundation1 painting1938
  • painting, 1938--02--24
Pitt Rivers Museum1 photograph1913
  • Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, photograph 2004.135.1.97, «View from the water's edge of Kyrenia Castle and Harbour.», photograph by Leonard Halford Dudley Buxton, Circa 1913, 1913~ Online

Sources

  1. 1.Cyprus University of Technology, Apsida (Cyprus University of Technology), creator Union of Occupied Municipalities; Επιτροπή Κατεχομένων Δήμων: «The Lusignan tower on the north-east side of the castle», via Europeana Online
  2. 2.Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], First Schedule, District of Kyrenia, item 5, p. 327, PDF p. 347 Online
  3. 3.The National Archives, Kew, CO 1069/700, CO 1069-700-2, «Kyrenia Castle: repairs to East wall.», 1876-1942, The National Archives on Flickr Commons Online
  4. 4.The National Archives, Kew, CO 1069/703, CO 1069-703-37, «Firework Display from Kyrenia Castle.», June 1953, The National Archives on Flickr Commons Online
  5. 5.The National Archives, Kew, CO 1069/706, CO 1069-706-17, «Kyrenia Castle», 1950-1959, The National Archives on Flickr Commons Online
  6. 6.The National Archives, Kew, CO 1069/706, CO 1069-706-13, «Kyrenia Castle», 1950-1959, The National Archives on Flickr Commons Online
  7. 7.Photograph: 1900. Travelers in the Middle East Archive (TIMEA), Rice University, via Wikimedia Commons, TIMEA 10028. "Venetian Fortress, Kyrenia". CC BY-SA 2.5. «Venetian Fortress, Kyrenia», ,_Kyrenia_(1900)_-_TIMEA.jpg Online
  8. 8.Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, photograph 2004.135.1.97, «View from the water's edge of Kyrenia Castle and Harbour.», photograph by Leonard Halford Dudley Buxton, Circa 1913 Online
  9. 9.Wellcome Collection, London, 19010i, «Kyrenia: the harbour and its fortifications», 1878 Online
  10. 10.British School at Athens, Archive, BSA SPHS Image Collection, BSA SPHS/1/0426.1798, «Cyprus, Kyrenia: Byzantine Fortress», 1888 Online
  11. 11.Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, Nicosia, online catalogue: pht_00705, “Kyrenia Castle”, ca. 1918, ; pht_00706, “Kyrenia Castle”, ca. 1918, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/kyrenia-castle-2/27962/; pht_00707, “Kyrenia Castle and Kyrenia Harbour”, ca. 1918, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/kyrenia-castle-and-kyrenia-harbour/27963/; and 32 more records Online
  12. 12.Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, Nicosia, online catalogue: PNT-00346, “Castle and harbour, Kyrenia, Cyprus”, ca. 1970 Online
  13. 13.Anon., "Kyrenia Attractions", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 2 (March–April 1963), pp. 6–7, p. 6.
  14. 14.R.V.E. Hodson, "Shakespeare in Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 3 (May–June 1963), pp. 24–25, p. 24.
  15. 15.Anon., "The Arts", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 5 (September–October 1963), p. 35.
  16. 16.S. Patsalides, "The Contribution of our Cultural Heritage to Cyprus Tourism", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 2-3 (April–September 1969), pp. 8–11, p. 9.
  17. 17.Williams Dreghorn, "Geology and Scenery in the Kyrenia District", Cyprus Today vol. 8, no. 1 (January–March 1970), pp. 13–21, p. 20.
  18. 18.Anon., "International Homeric Symposium", Cyprus Today vol. 10, no. 5-6 (September–December 1972), pp. 29–31, p. 31.
  19. 19.A. PAPAGEORGHIOU, "Activities of the Department of Antiquities in the Field of the Conservation and Restoration of Ancient Monuments 1960-73", Cyprus Today vol. 11, no. 5-6 (September–December 1973), pp. 11–20, p. 15.
  20. 20.Anon., "Princess Margaret Visits Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 1-2 (January–April 1974), pp. 48–49, p. 48.
  21. 21.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1950 (London: HMSO, 1951), p. 53
  22. 22.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 12
  23. 23.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 43
  24. 24.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 9
  25. 25.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 44
  26. 26.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1952 (London: HMSO, 1953), p. 58
  27. 27.Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127
  28. 28.GEORGES TENEKIDES, "Chypre", Cyprus Today vol. 4, no. 1-4 (January–July 1966), pp. 20–27, p. 24.
  29. 29.Anon., "Editorial", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 1 (January–March 2009), p. 1.
  30. 30.Nasa Patapiou, "Kerynia during the Venetian Rule", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 1 (January–March 2009), pp. 13–29, p. 24.
  31. 31.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1955 (London: HMSO, 1956), p. 79
  32. 32.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1956 (London: HMSO, 1957), p. 89
  33. 33.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1957 (London: HMSO, 1958), p. 87
  34. 34.S. Patsalides, "In Search of the Unusual Tourist Treasures of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 2-3 (April–September 1969), pp. 12–17, p. 17.
  35. 35.Colonial Office, Annual Report on Cyprus for the Year 1948 (London: HMSO, 1949), p. 43

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