Kyrenia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2007) |
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- For the village in Greece see Keryneia, Greece.
Kyrenia | |
|---|---|
| Κερύνεια (Greek) Girne (Turkish) | |
 Kyrenia Castle at night | |
| District | Kyrenia District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Sümer Aygın |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 58,567 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Website | Kyrenia North Cyprus |
Kyrenia (Template:Lang-el, Template:Lang-tr) is a town on the northern coast of Cyprus, noted for its historic harbour and castle. Internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, Kyrenia has been under Turkish occupation since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Once predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots, Kyrenia's population consists largely of Turkish Cypriots and settlers from Turkey.
History
Prehistoric and ancient times
Kyrenia dates to the end of the Trojan War when many settlers arrived there from Achaea in the Peloponnese and established towns in the district. Evidence from archeological sites excavated in and around the town of Kyrenia evidence settlement since the Neolithic period, 5800-3000 BC. Moreover, many Mycenaean, Geometric and Achaean tombs dating from 1300-500s BC, have also been discovered. A fine climate, fertile soil and an abundance of water offered ideal conditions for the town's early settlement.
Cepheus from Arcadia is believed to be the founder of the town of Kyrenia. A military leader, he arrived at the north coast of the island bringing with him many settlers from various towns in Achaea. One such town, located near present-day Aigio in the Peloponnese, was also called Kyrenia.
The earliest reference made to the town of Kyrenia is found, together with that of the other seven city kingdoms of Cyprus, in Egyptian scripts dating from the period of Ramesses III, 1125-1100s BC.
From its early days of settlement, Kyrenia's commerce and maritime trade benefited enormously from its proximity to the Asia Minor coast. Boats set sail from the Aegean islands, traveled along the Asia Minor coast, and then crossed over the short distance to the northern shores of Cyprus to reach the two city kingdoms of Lapithos and Kyrenia. This lively maritime activity (late 4th or early 3rd century BC) is evident in an ancient shipwreck discovered by Andreas Kariolou in 1965, just outside Kyrenia harbour. The vessel's route along Samos, Kos, Rhodes, the Asia Minor coastline and then Kyrenia, demonstrates the town's close maritime relations with other city kingdoms in the eastern Mediterranean.
During the succession struggle between Ptolemy and Antigonus that followed Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC, Kyrenia was subdued under the rule of the kingdom of Lapithos that allied itself with Antigonus. Once the Ptolemies were successful in dominating the whole island, all city kingdoms were abolished. Kyrenia however, because of its maritime trade, continued to prosper. In the 2nd century BC, it is cited as one of six Cypriot towns which were benefactors to the Oracle at Delphi, that is, it received its special representatives who collected contributions and gifts. The town's prosperity at this time is also evident from its two temples, one dedicated to Apollo and the other to Aphrodite, and from the rich archeological finds dating from the Hellenistic period excavated within the present-day town limits.
The Romans succeeded the Ptolemies as rulers of Cyprus and during this time Lapithos became the administrative centre of the district. The numerous tombs excavated and the rich archeological finds dating from this period indicate however, that Kyrenia continued to be a populous and prosperous town. An inscription found at the base of a limestone statue dating from 13-37 AD, refers to ‘Kyrenians Demos' that is, the town's inhabitants. Here as everywhere else, the Romans left their mark by constructing a castle with a seawall in front of it so that boats and ships could anchor in safety.
Christianity found fertile ground in the area. The first Christian martyrs used the old quarries of Chrysokava, just east of Kyrenia castle, as catacombs and cut-rock cemeteries which are considered among the island's most important specimens of this period. Later, some of these caves were converted into churches and feature beautiful iconography, the most representative of which is that found at ‘Ayia Mavri.' From these early days, the town of Kyrenia was an episcopal see. One of its first bishops, Theodotus, was arrested and tortured between 307-324, under the reign of Licinius. Though the persecution of Christians officially ended in 313, when Constantine I and his co-emperor, Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan which mandated toleration of Christians in the Roman Empire and freedom of worship, Theodotus martyrdom and persecution only ended in 324 and it is this event that the Church annually commemorates on March 2.
Middle ages
With the division of the Roman Empire into an eastern and a western empire, in 395 Cyprus came under the Byzantine emperors and the Greek Orthodox Church. The Byzantine emperors fortified Kyrenia's Roman castle and in the 10th century, they constructed in its vicinity a church dedicated to Saint George, which the garrison used as a chapel. Then, when in 806, Lambousa was destroyed in the Arab raids, Kyrenia grew in importance because its castle and garrison offered its inhabitants protection and security. Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus, the island's last Byzantine governor, sent his family and treasures to the castle for safety in 1191 when King Richard I of England went to war with him and became the island's new master.
Richard's rule was not welcomed in Cyprus so he sold the island first to the Knights Templar, and then in 1192, to Guy of Lusignan. Under Frankish rule, the villages of the district of Kyrenia became feudal estates and the town became once again the administrative and commercial centre for its region. The Lusignans enlarged the castle, built a wall and towers around the town, and extended the fortifications to the harbour. They also fortified the Byzantine castles of Saint Hilarion, Bouffavento and Kantara, which, together with Kyrenia Castle, protected the town from land and sea attacks. Kyrenia castle played a pivotal role in the island's history during the many disputes among the Frankish kings, as well as the conflicts with the Genoese. On numerous occasions the castle came under siege, but it never capitulated.
In 1489, Cyprus came under Venetian rule. The Venetians modified Kyrenia Castle to meet the threat that the use of gunpowder and cannons posed. The castle's royal quarters and three of its four thin and elegant Frankish towers were demolished and replaced by thickset circular towers that could better withstand cannon fire. These new towers, however, were never put to the test. In 1571, the castle and the town surrendered to the Ottoman army.
Ottoman rule
Under Ottoman rule, Kyrenia district was at first one of four, then one of six, administrative districts of the island and the town remained its administrative capital. The town's fortunes declined however as it was transformed into a garrison town. The Christian population was expelled from the fortified city, and no one was allowed to reside within the castle other than the artillerymen and their families. These men terrorized the town's inhabitants and those of the surrounding villages, Christian and Muslim alike, with their arbitrary looting and crimes. The few local inhabitants who dared to stay were merchants and fishermen whose livelihood depended on the sea. They built their homes outside the city wall, which through time, neglect and disrepair, turned to ruin. The rest of the inhabitants moved further out to the area known as Pano Kyrenia or the ‘Riatiko' (so called because it once belonged to a king) or fled further inland and to the mountain villages of Thermia, Karakoumi, Kazafani, Bellapais and Karmi.
The town revived again when bribes and gifts paid to local Turkish officials caused them to permit local maritime trade with Asia Minor and the Aegean islands to resume. In 1783, the church of Chrysopolitissa was renovated. Then in 1856, following the Hatt-I-Humayum, which introduced social and political reform and greater religious freedom for the various peoples of the Ottoman Empire, the church of Archangel Michael was rebuilt on a rocky mount overlooking the sea. At about this time, many of the Christian inhabitants of the surrounding villages re-established themselves in the town. Local agriculture and maritime trade, particularly the export of carobs to Asia Minor, allowed the people of Kyrenia to have a comfortable living, and some even to educate their children and pursue other cultural activities.
British rule
In 1878, following a secret agreement between the British and Ottoman governments, the island was ceded to Great Britain as a military base in the eastern Mediterranean. At first, Great Britain did not undertake major administrative changes, so Kyrenia remained the district's capital. A road was constructed through the mountain pass to connect the town to the island's capital, Nicosia, and the harbour was repaired and expanded to accommodate increasing trade with the opposite coast. The town's municipal affairs were put in order and the municipal council took an active role in cleaning and modernizing the town. In 1893, a hospital was built through private contributions and effort. By the first decade of the twentieth century, Kyrenia was a buzzing little town with a new school building, its own newspaper, social, educational and athletic clubs. It was also a favoured vacation spot for many wealthy Nicosia families. Many homes were converted into pensions and boardinghouses and in 1906, the first hotel, "Akteon", was built by the sea. These first decades of British rule however, also saw increased economic hardship for the population. However, high taxation, frequent droughts and a world economic depression were precipitating factors for a mass exodus of people from the town and district, first to Egypt and then to the United States.
In 1922, the episcopal see of Kyrenia relocated back to the town after the completion of a new metropolitan building. That same year, the Greco-Turkish war brought to a halt all trade with the opposite coast causing a serious economic depression. To the rescue came a young repatriate from the USA who built the town's first modern hotels, the ‘Seaview' in 1922 and the ‘Dome' in 1932, having a foreign tourist clientele in mind. Kyrenia's mild climate, picturesque harbour, numerous archeological sites, panoramic views that combined sea, mountains and vegetation, coupled with modern amenities, soon attracted many travellers and Kyrenia's economy revived through tourism. After the Second World War, more hotels were built and the town remained a favoured vacation spot for Nicosia residents and foreign travellers alike. To the town's Greek and Turkish inhabitants were added many from Great Britain who chose Kyrenia as their permanent place of residence.
Cypriot independence
In 1960, Cyprus gained its independence from Great Britain. However, the intercommunal conflict that broke out in 1963-64 between the island's Greek and Turkish population again eroded Kyrenia's prosperity. While skirmishes in Kyrenia were minimal, Turkish Cypriot irregulars blockaded the Kyrenia-Nicosia road and occupied Saint Hilarion castle. Despite these difficulties, the 1960s and early 1970s was a period of lively cultural and economic activity. A new town hall was built and a Folklore Museum established. The ancient shipwreck[1] already alluded to was reassembled, together with all its amphorae and cargo, and permanently exhibited at the castle. The number of new hotels and tourists multiplied and a new road was constructed in the early 1970s connecting the town to Nicosia from the east. The town's cultural activities greatly increased. Other than the many traditional cultural and religious fairs and festivals annually celebrated, flower shows, yachting races, concerts and theatre performances were organized. Kyrenia, the smallest of Cypriot towns, was undoubtedly the island's most precious jewel.
The town's inhabitants, Greek, Turk, Maronite, Armenian, Latin and British peacefully coexisted and cooperated in their daily affairs and the town had grown beyond its two historic neighbourhoods of Kato (Lower) Kyrenia and Pano (Upper) Kyrenia. It expanded towards the mountain slopes to form the new neighbourhood of "California", and eastward it had just about reached the outskirts of Thermia, Karakoumi and Ayios Georgios.
In 1974, there were 47 villages in the district of Kyrenia. Greeks and Maronite Cypriots formed 83% of the district's total population, while the Turkish Cypriots formed 15% of the total.
Turkish invasion
On 20 July 1974, Turkish forces conducted Operation Attila, the Turkish takeover of Northern Cyprus, in response to a coup by a military group that favoured enosis, i.e., union with Greece. An exodus followed. Greek Cypriots abandoned their homes in Kyrenia and elsewhere in NOrthern Cyprus and headed to south of what is now the Green Line. (At the same time Turkish Cypriots abandoned their homes in Southern Cyprus and headed north of the Green Line.)
The community of Kyrenia's exiled Greek Cypriots has not disappeared. Through the collective efforts of the community and its Municipality and Folklore Society, the exiles continue their work from Nicosia(Lefkoşa). Through special voters' registration and procedures, the people of Kyrenia continue to exercise their separate political and civic rights. The Bishop of Kyrenia continues to oversee to the religious affairs of the community. The community celebrates all traditional holidays, religious and cultural. Through their work, their clubs and societies, the exiles continue to work for their eventual return to their homes.[citation needed]
Litigation by victims of Ethnic cleansing
Ethnically cleansed Kyrenians such as Apostolides v Orams and Loizidou v. Turkey have been at the forefront of successful litigation seeking to return to their native homes and for compensation for breaches of their human rights and entitlements under the Geneva Convention, the ECHR and the ECJ.
Harbour
In its heyday Kyrenia harbour was lined with warehouses in which were stored the fruits of the countryside whilst they awaited export. The harbour is currently used largely for pleasure craft, and the buildings are now mostly all restaurants, with outdoor tables along the water. The harbour is particularly busy during the summer season when it attracts a large influx of tourists. Daily boat tours of Kyrenia and Karpaz take off from this ancient harbour. A larger harbour is located a few miles east of the town centre, used by commercial shipping and ferries from the Turkish mainland.
Although the TRNC is not internationally recognized, cruise liners carrying tourists often stop at Kyrenia before making their way onto other destinations, such as Egypt. This may be signaling the erosion of the decades-long international embargo of the TRNC.
Architecture
Kyrenia Castle at the east end of the old harbour is a very spectacular site. The castle dates back to Byzantine times and has served the Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans, and the British. It contains within its walls a twelfth century chapel showing reused late Roman capitals, and a shipwreck museum. The castle features huge round towers at its corners that the Venetians built in 1540 AD to strengthen the castle against artillery.
The town has an icon museum housed in a church that was dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Not far from it there are some tombs cut into the rock dating from about the 4th century. Behind the harbour are the ruins of a small Christian church, and in the harbour is a small tower from which a chain could be slung to close the harbour to any enemies. The Anglican Church of St. Andrews is behind the castle, close to the bus station, and is open all year round.
Bellapais Abbey (from the French "abbaye de la paix" which means the Peace Monastery) in the northern village of Bellapais was constructed between 1198-1205. The main building as it can be seen today was built during the 13th century AD by French Augustinian monks, and specifically during the rule of King Hugh III 1267-1284. The pavilions around the courtyard and the refectory were constructed during the rule of King Hugh IV between 1324-1359. You can also see the Ancient Greek Orthodox Church of Mother Mary Robed in White.
Outside the town, on the Kyrenia mountain range, you can see the Buffavento Castle, St. Hilarion Castle and Kantara Castle. During the Lusignan rule, Buffavento Castle was a prison and called 'Chateau du Lion', where the despot Byzantine king of the island, Isaac Comnenus, is said to have fled after Richard the Lion Heart conquered Cyprus in 1191. The mountaintop castle of St. Hilarion dominates the town of Kyrenia and is visible for many miles along the coast. Historical records show that the castle was originally a monastery, founded about 800 when a monk by the name of Hilarion chose the site for his hermitage. Later, perhaps in 1100 AD, the monastery was changed into a castle. The easternmost of the three castles is Kantara castle, and like the other two castles, was thought to have been constructed by the Byzantines following the Arab raids on the island. Sources only make mention of the castle in the year 1191, when Richard Lion-Heart captured the island.
Notable people
- Patriarch Peter VII of Alexandria was born in Sichari.
- Osman Türkay, a Turkish Cypriot poet of international stature and a nominee for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988, was born in Kyrenia.
- Dimitris Christofias, the sixth President of the Republic of Cyprus, was born in the small village of Dhikomo, Kyrenia.
- Mehmet Ali Talat, the current President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, was born in Kyrenia July 6, 1952.
- British boxer David Haye has his training camp in Kyrenia.
- Peter Andre, Pop Singer ,hails from Chartzia in the Kyrenia region. His grandfather was a cantor in the now destroyed Archangel Michael church.
- Patriarch Gregory II of Constantinople was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople between 1283-1289. This title is the equivalent of the pope to Eastern Orthodox Christians. He was born in the town of Lapithos in Kyrenia.
- Laventios of Kyrenia On July 1821, along with the head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church Archbishop Kyprianos, together with 486 prominent Greek Cypriots, amongst them the Metropolitans Chrysanthethos of Paphos, Meletios of Kition and , were executed by hanging or beheading by the Ottomans in Nicosia.
- Pantelis Kyriakides The vice president of the European Patent office. After working as an electronics engineer he joined the UK Patent Office in 1976, before transferring to the European Patent Office (EPO) After being Principal Director in the technical fields of mechanics and electricity/physics, he was appointed Vice-President of the EPO at the end of 1999.
- Dr Panos Ioannou Scientist
- Michael Photiou, J Supreme Court Judge appointed 2004 born in Ayios Amvrosios Cyprus.
Universities and schools
In the city there are many schools providing elementary to high school education. The city also has two Universities: Girne American University, which is also called GAU and The American University - Girne/Cyprus, and the University of Northern Virginia UNVA.
Other
Pre-Ottoman Kyrenia features prominently in the popular game Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines. This game also features Limassol.Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines takes place a month after the events of the original Assassin's Creed. The game is largely set on the island of Cyprus in two of its cities, Limassol and Kyrenia where players would again take on the role of Altaïr, the original ancestral character in Assassin's Creed. Altaïr has travelled to Cyprus from the Holy Land (the setting of the first game) in order to find out why the Templars are gathering there, and to assassinate the last of them.[3] Bloodlines includes more face time with Maria, the female Templar that was spared by Altaïr in Assassin's Creed. The antagonist is Armand Bouchart, who has become the Grand Master of the Templar Order. He seeks the "Apple of Eden", which allows the user to control the minds of people and make them carry out the bidding of whoever is using the Apple. Altaïr has to stop him (and other notable Templar leaders, like enormous Moloch "The Bull") from using the Templar Archive located on the island to further their goals.
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References
External links
- Kyrenia Cyprus
- Kyrenia Tourist Guide
- Kyrenia municipality
- Girne municipality
- North Cyprus Holidays
- Kyrenia North Cyprus
