Kyrenia

Kyrenia, Greek Kirínia, Turkish Girne, city, situated along the northern coast of Cyprus, in the Turkish Cypriot-administered area. Founded by the Achaeans, ancient Greek colonists, and fortified by the Byzantines, Franks, and Venetians, the city was the administrative headquarters of the Kyrenia district of the Republic of Cyprus until the Turkish intervention in 1974. Kyrenia city is a market centre and seaside resort. Its horseshoe-shaped harbour is flanked by a 12th-century castle fortress. The castle houses the remains of a ship dating to about 300 bce that was recovered in 1969 approximately 0.5 mile (0.8 km) offshore. Nearby in the Kyrenia Mountains are the 13th-century abbey of Bellapais and the fortress of St. Hilarion. After the Turkish intervention, the city became the headquarters of the Turkish occupation forces. Mainland Turks subsequently settled in Kyrenia, and hotels were reopened for the tourist trade. Ferry service between Kyrenia and Mersin in Turkey began in 1977. Pop. (2006) 24,122.