The Salonica View team is organising a day trip to the legendary Saint Hilarion Castle in the Kyrenia mountain range, the occupied village of Bellapais, and the occupied city of Kyrenia.
About Our Cultural trip
We will depart from Limassol and head towards Nicosia, continuing to the Agios Dometios checkpoint. After crossing the checkpoint, we will travel through the occupied village of Bogazi before reaching our first destination, Saint Hilarion Castle. After our visit to the castle, we will continue to our next destination, Bellapais. We will then return to the bus and head towards Kyrenia for our final stop. In Kyrenia, we will have free time to relax and explore the area before beginning our journey back to the government-controlled areas of Cyprus.
About Saint Hilarion Castle
Saint Hilarion Castle was built by the Byzantines in the 11th century AD in a strategically important defensive position. It is surrounded by steep, inaccessible cliffs, with its only access being from the southern side.
According to legend, a ruthless queen threw the workers who built the castle off the cliffs so that they could never reveal the secrets of the fortress.
In more recent history, Saint Hilarion Castle was captured by Turkish Cypriot forces shortly after the beginning of the intercommunal violence in 1963, when armed clashes took place between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, Saint Hilarion Castle has remained under Turkish occupation.
About Bellapais
Bellapais is one of the most beautiful villages on the island. It is located southeast of Kyrenia, on a magnificent slope of the Kyrenia mountain range, offering exceptional views of the surrounding plains and the sea.
Its narrow, uphill streets lead to picturesque houses with beautifully scented gardens. The village takes its name from the famous Frankish monastery that dominates the area.
The monastery, known as Bellapais Abbey, was built during the early years of Frankish rule by Frankish monks.
The residents of Bellapais, along with other residents of the Kyrenia area who remained enclaved in the village after the Turkish invasion, were expelled by the Turkish authorities in September 1976.
About Kyrenia
Kyrenia is one of the six main cities of Cyprus and the capital of the district of the same name, one of the island’s six districts. It is one of the ancient cities of Cyprus, as reflected in its name, which is associated with Keryneia, an ancient city of Achaea. Kyrenia essentially consists of two parts: “Lower Kyrenia”, which extends around its small harbour, and “Upper Kyrenia”, which extends further south.The city is located on the northern coast of Cyprus, facing the southern coast of Asia Minor, with the impressive Kyrenia mountain range rising behind it.
Participation Fee
€25 per person
Payment will be made on the bus.
The Price Includes:
- Tour coordination and organisation
- Transportation by bus
What You Need to Bring:
- Identity card or passport – An identity card or passport is required in order to cross the checkpoint. IMPORTANT: Your identity card/passport must not expire within the next two months.
- Personal belongings
- Snacks
- Water
Important Notes
Note 1: When making your reservation, please indicate in the message where you would like to board the bus.
Note 2: For the smooth operation of the event and for safety reasons, all participants must follow the instructions given by the tour coordinators.
Note 3: In the event that the excursion is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, it will be rescheduled for another date. Participants who are unable to attend on the new date will receive a refund. If weather conditions once again prevent the excursion from taking place, the event will be permanently cancelled and all participants will receive a full refund.
Note 4: Photographs from our events are shared on our website and social media platforms after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you agree to the publication of photographs in which you may appear. If you do not wish to be photographed or have your photograph published, please inform us.
Note 5 – Cancellation Policy: In the event of a cancellation less than 72 hours before the event, or in the case of a no-show, participants will be required to pay the full participation fee. This policy is in place to cover operational costs and reservations that have already been made.
Note 6: The tour coordinators reserve the right to adjust the stops and schedule of the excursion depending on the available time, without omitting any major points of interest.
RESERVATION
Please complete your reservation using the booking form. HERE -> ΕΔΩ
Once you have completed your reservation, we will contact you approximately 6–7 days before the excursion to confirm your details and participation.
INFORMATION REGARDING ALL OUR EXCURSIONS
Four days before the excursion, usually on Wednesday, all participants will receive an official update confirming whether the excursion will take place.
Confirmation Depends On:
- Reaching the required minimum number of participants
- Weather conditions
- Other organisational factors
