The castle is in the Turkish occupied and military controlled north areas of The Republic of Cyprus.

One of the most beautiful attractions in Cyprus is falling into disrepair according to reports from the Turkish occupied and military controlled north areas of The Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriots were left shocked after a recent visit to Kyreneia Castle, saying, “the harbour area is the pits”. The Turkish occupation regime had been invited to the area by yacht owners so see first-hand the decay and neglect. Locals and yacht owners relayed their worries about the lack of security in the area which resulted in extensive graffiti on the castle walls and littering in the vicinity. Piles of tin cans, paper wrappers, cigarette packets and even excrement is piled up around the ancient Greek Cypriot Castle and harbour area.

The so-called and illegal “environment minister” Mustafa Gokmen was appalled at the sight that greeted him on arrival in Kyreneia. “It appears that this area has been abandoned. Unfortunately, the perimeter of the Kyreneia Castle appears to be deserted. The harbour is in bad shape” he said.

Kyreneia Castle stands at the entrance to the harbour, guarding this important and strategic Cyprus port since the 1500s. Before the Turkish invasion and occupation of the north areas of The Republic of Cyprus, in 1974, the town was one of the most popular destinations on the island.