5 fairytale castles to visit this summer

Saint Hilarion Castle is close to the pass between Nicosia and Kyrenia. Construction started in the 11th century. The castle offers impressive views across the city, the Kyrenia Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Much of the castle is still well-preserved and makes for an interesting visit.

This 12th-century castle stands in a stunning position overlooking the plains. It has been beautifully restored by its owner Don Antonio Sanz Polo, to its former condition. Anyone wishing to visit the castle has to get permission from its owner and entrance is by climbing a ladder up the rock on which it stands. Of interest to note, the castle appeared in season 6 of “Game of Thrones,” where it played the role of the Tower of Joy.

This castle can only be seen from the outside and is not ancient or historical. Jacinto Garcia’s mother decided it would be fun to remodel their home, originally a normal, two-storey house. However, over several decades, Jacinto got a little carried away, by adding more floors, columns, towers and walls. The result is pretty stunning!

This might look like a fairytale castle, but it has a horrible history. Around the 14th century, it was nearly torn down, due to its history of torture and injustice. It was subsequently a courthouse and prison. Beautifully restored, the castle makes a very worthwhile visit, where visitors can even see a torture museum.

What started in 1122 as a small keep on a dormant volcano ended up in the hands of Baroness Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler, who improved on the castle in the 17th century. Normally castles are historically the domain of men, but this one was not. Unfortunately for the Baroness, her handmaiden was accused of witchcraft and sorcery and was killed. Nowadays in the castle, there is a museum dedicated to strong women and a second devoted to witchcraft in the region.