|
|
|
Walking towards the harbour from here the road follows the direction of the curtian wall along which other remnants may be identified. There is part of a tower on the left, in between houses,retaining its machicolations, or overhanging para-pets. These contained slots down which stones, hot water etc, were poured onto an attacking enemy. The machicolations are supported by stone corbels.
The small tower in the harbour, which is commonly mistaken for an old lighthouse, stands at the entrance of the ancient harbour. This stone pedestal had a pillar on top, from which a heavy chain was slung across the port entrance and connected on the opposite side by the present Custom House. The chain would be raised when an enemy ship was approaching the port.
The main export was carob beans, which were in great demand for horse and catlle fodder. The sacks of beans would be brought in by cart to the upper floors of the warehouses, which were accessed from the narrow streets at the back, as they are on a higher level. This explainswhy the Folk Art Museum has an entrance off the back street.
The new harbour on the eastern edge of Girne is very much a working port. It is where the ferryboats go across to the Turkish mainland. For information on trips call 8152344. The ancient quarry site of Chrysokava is now open to the public but access is not easy. The area is surrounded by barbed wire and out of date military signs. |
|
|
