Just West of the main Kirenia-Nicosia road, in the Besparmak mountains, you will find the Saint Hilarion Castle.

At 732 meters above sea level, Saint Hilarion is by far the best preserved of the Cyprus castles. The walls and towers seem to emerge from the rocks almost by chance, giving the castle a fairytale look. In fact, it is said to have inspired Walt Disney to use it as a project for the Snow White Castle and the Seven Dwarfs.
The castle takes its name from a little-known hermit who fled Palestine in the 7th century to live and die up here, purifying the mountain from pagan demons. The hermit is said to be deaf, so he was able to resist the tempting voices of demons. Eventually the demons admitted defeat and left Hilarion and the mountain in peace. A Byzantine monastery and later a fort arose around his grave.

Due to its almost impregnability, Saint Hilarion was one of the last castles captured by the crusaders in 1191. The fortifications were improved by the Lusignano family at the beginning of the 13th century, and the castle was at the center of a four-year struggle with the Sacred Roman Empire of Frederick II for control of the island until its defeat in 1232. Over the next 140 years, sumptuous royal apartments were added so that the castle became a summer residence. It was also a place of escape in 1349, when the plague struck the island, causing an estimated number of deaths ranging from a quarter to half of the entire population.

When the Venetians took power in 1489, they relied on Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta for the defense of the island, and abandoned Saint Hilarion and his two brother castles (Kirenia and Buffavento).

The first part of the castle that one encounters is the main gate together with the external walls, built by the Byzantines in the 11th century. Continuing on the uphill path, you arrive at a still usable cistern and the stables. The first structure is the porter's lodge with its arch, which was originally closed with a drawbridge. Along the passage you can see the large chapel of the castle; built in brick and stone blocks, it was restored in 1959. Traces of ancient religious paintings are visible. However, the church is considered too large for a castle garrison, and the Byzantine building is thought to be a restoration of a monastery, founded around year 800. The area around the castle was originally part of this monastery, and the rooms to the North and East were the cellars, the kitchen and the refectory. Below this there is a further series of rooms designed to be barracks for the 14th century crusader knights.

Passing through the arch, you are in the main courtyard. On the right is what remains of the royal kitchens and waiting rooms. At the far end there are the royal apartments, which can be reached by following the small path through the undergrowth.

The courtyard of the upper castle is under the natural protection of the twin peaks. The Lusignano family called it "Dieu d'Amor". Romantics see the name as a reference to the legend of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, who has strong ties to the island. However, it is more likely to be a French corruption of the original Byzantine name for the fort, Didymus, or the Greek word for "twin".

The richest part of the castle is the elegant gallery with its two gothic windows, one of which with inlays with stone seats. By climbing the uneven steps further towards the Southern summit, you will be rewarded with superb views. Outside the main courtyard, there is the 14th century tower of Prince John which stands on a rocky promontory.