Girne Before the 1974 war, Kyrene (now called Girne) used to be one of Cyprus' major tourist resorts. Girne is situated excellently, in the centre of the islands northern coastline and at the foot of the Kyrenia Range. Its former tourist hotels still remain, but most of them are deserted today. Kyrenias first settlement date from at least 6000 years ago. Some historians think, that its beginnings go back to the 10th century BC, when it was one of the nine original kingdoms of Cyprus. The city and its surrounding is an archaeological paradise. Kyrenes great attraction lies in its Venetian castle which now hosts the Ship Wreck Museum and its enchanting harbour. In the vicinity of the ancient town you will find castles and monasteries, situated in the beautifully scenic area of the seacoast. Since the war in 1974 Kyrenia is under Turkish occupation. the turkish army has forced all the legal inhabitants out of their homes and it, in the past few years, sold the properties to unknown foreigners who do not understand that what they bought stolen homes. The international court of human rights have issued a number of warnings to turkey regarding this but, Turkey hides behind the us and uk who help it avoid sunctions.
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