Perched high in the Kyrenia mountain range, overlooking the Mediterranean and the surrounding areas of the North Cyprus landscape, stands the castle of St Hilarion. It is the best-preserved ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountain range.

Contrary to the belief, the castle is not named after the Saint active in Palestine and Cyprus in the 4th century, but after a hermit monk who fled from persecution in the Holy Land and lived and died in a cave in the mountains.

Built on three distinct levels, each one was designed to be self-sufficient and self-contained. The lower and middle wards served economic purposes, while the upper ward housed the royal family.