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KANTARA CASTLE NORTH CYPRUS-YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS NEIGHBOUR IF YOU BUY THIS BUNGALOW WITH VIEWS TO DIE FOR.

 

£45,000

This property is situated on the top of Kantara, hugging the hillside it has the most amazing views right down to the sea and all along the Famagusta Bay. This 2 bedroom property is in need of sympathetic renovation which is more than reflected in the price. With a bit of work it would be perfect for a holiday retreat and would suit those who want peace and tranquility. At Present the property consists of 2 bedrooms, bathroom, a small kitchen area and through lounge. Outside is a large covered terrace with great views and a large garden area to the side of the property. Just a 20 minute drive away is the busy village of Iskele where you will find a good range of shops, banks and so on. A modern supermarket is just along the coastal road and the major town of Famagusta is about a 40 minute drive around the bay on the newly built dual carriageway.

 

The Property

Accessed from the road down a series of steps at the side of the bungalow, or via a shared driveway .

Kitchen Area – 2.5m x 2.3m

Currently fitted with a sink unit and fitted cupboards, the window has views to the side of the property

Lounge Area - 6m x 4.5m

A good sized room with a fire place, fitted bench seating and 3 large windows with extensive views down the mountain to the sea. A sliding door leads to a small hallway with doors to the bedrooms and the bathroom.  

Bedroom one - 2.9m x 3.3m

A double bedroom with a window looking to the side of the property.

Bedroom two - 2.9m x 2.4m

A single bedroom with a window with views to the side of the property.

Bathroom - 2.0m x 1.7m

Fitted with a shower, WC and washbasin, the walls are tiled with white ceramic tiles

Outside

A large covered terrace runs the full length of the property, with the mountain side dropping away beneath, the views are breathtaking. At the side is a flat garden area shaded by pine trees.  

 

Kantara Castle

Of the three crusader castles of Buffavento, St Hilarion and Kantara, Kantara lies furthest to the east. It sits at 630m above sea level, and of the three main North Cyprus castles it is by far the easiest to reach. This is good news because it also has by far the best views, its summit standing on a pinnacle with views all round. The name "Kantara" in Arabic means a bridge or an arch. This is an appropriate name, as the castle is located at a point which bridges the mountain range and commands views of  both the north and the south coasts. On a clear day, it is possible to see across both sides of the Karpaz peninsula, and on to the distant mountains of Turkey. In winter is sometimes possible to see the snows of Lebanon, over 160km away.

Buffavento and St Hilarion castles both have their “queen” legends.  Kantara is not to be outdone. Local legend has it that since the castle was abandoned 500 years ago, a ghostly queen can be seen, sitting by the Gothic window at the highest point, looking out over her country. Perhaps she is trapped here. Another local legend refers to the castle as the house of 101 rooms. The belief is that if someone was to enter the 101st room, they entered paradise, unable to return through the door to the castle.Very little is known of the castle's early days. It is thought to have been built by the Byzantins probably after the last of the Arab raids in the late 10th century. However there are no remains or records dating from that time. Its first mention was in 1191, during  Richard the Lionheart's Crusade to the Holy land. It was at Kantara that the self-styled king, Isaac Commenos, sheltered before surrendering to the English King.

 

 

 

 

We have much more information about the castle from the Lusigian and Venetians periods, which lasted from 1191 to 1571. In the 13th century, the castle was remodelled by the Lusignans, and during the next few hundred years, the castle often served as a shelter for defeated barons and kings. When the Genoese conquered Famagusta and Nicosia in 1373, Kantara remained undefeated in the hands of the King. After the peace treaty with the Genoese, Kantara was further re-fortified. Most of the castle that we see today dates from around this time. There are several routes you can take to Kantara castle, from either the northern or southern coastal roads. It will take you about 30 minutes of good, but narrow and twisty roads to get to the Village of Kantara, where you can stop and have some refreshments after your drive. From the north, the road through Kaplica,  is by far the best, having recently been widened and upgraded (although no less twisty than the other routes!) Approaching from the south, the road from Iskele through Topcukoy and Ardahan has likewise been upgraded. The castle itself is about 10 minutes beyond the village.

The Village of Iskele

The village of Iskele, or to give it it’s correct name, Yeni Iskele, (New Iskele), is where the Turkish Cypriots from the district of Iskele in Larnaca were relocated in 1975. It is also the birthplace of the Greek EOKA leader Georgios Grivas. To the west there is the Icon Museum which houses a small collection of 12th to 15th century wall paintings. The people of Iskele are a mixture of local Cypriots, British born Cypriots and expatriates. The village holds an annual festival where dancers from all over the world perform. There is a delightful park which has children’s swings, an outdoor gymnasium, and a five a side football pitch covered in Astroturf. There are lovely walkways and benches to relax on an amphitheatre and a small café. It is a good sized village with all amenities you should need close to hand it is within a 35 minute drive to Ercan airport and only 20 minutes from Famagusta. Close by is Iskele beach a long stretch of sandy beach within a 5 minute drive. Bogaz Harbour is less than ten minutes away and then you have the whole of the Karpaz peninsula to explore, pretty much at your doorstep. There are a number of good restaurants within the boundaries of the village as well as in Bogaz.  

Bogaz is a truly beautiful coastal village located on the southern end of the Karpaz Peninsula, otherwise known as the “panhandle” of North Cyprus. The village enjoys a south facing aspect over Famagusta Bay and the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. Local fishermen ply their trade as they have for centuries past from the fishing harbour that is the focus point for this delightful village. Bogaz has a unique atmosphere that has bewitched countless tourists and many are now happily living here alongside the friendly locals having decided that this is the place to be. It is no surprise to find the harbour ringed by many restaurants and tavernas from which to choose and where the catch of the day is a popular choice. with excellent fresh, reasonably priced food and drinks. Many people simply fall in love with Bogaz whilst looking for their new home in North Cyprus. The village is blessed with many natural attractions but has managed to preserve its uniqueness and doesn’t suffocate its visitors with mass tourism. Local Cypriots mingle in harmony with Europeans and other nationalities, enjoying a cool drink, observing the activity around the working harbour and enjoying life as it should be.
 

PICTURE GALLERY

Please CONTACT US quoting reference HP0769 for more on this North Cyprus property

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