Before the 1974 war, Kyrene (now called Girne) used to be one of Cyprus' major tourist resorts. Girne is situated excellently, in the centre of the islands northern coastline and at the foot of the Kyrenia Range. Its former tourist hotels still remain, but most of them are deserted today....

Before the 1974 war, Kyrene (now called Girne) used to be one of Cyprus' major tourist resorts. Girne is situated excellently, in the centre of the islands northern coastline and at the foot of the Kyrenia Range. Its former tourist hotels still remain, but most of them are deserted today.

Kyrenias first settlement date from at least 6000 years ago. Some historians think, that its beginnings go back to the 10th century BC, when it was one of the nine original kingdoms of Cyprus.

The city and its surrounding is an archaeological paradise. Girne's great attraction lies in its Venetian castle which now hosts the Ship Wreck Museum and its enchanting harbour. In the vicinity of the ancient town you will find castles and monasteries, situated in the beautifully scenic area of the seacoast.

Since the 1974 war, Kyrenia is placed under Turkish rule. In the past years, properties of former Greek inhabitants have been sold to foreigners who do not always understand that what they bought is seen by others as illegal transactions.

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