The healing waters of Castle Buffavento.

North Cyprus is steeped in history, myths and legends.
None more mythical can the legend of the Buffavento castles healing powers.
The castle is thought to be of byzantine period and used as a signalling castle between the larger castles of Kantara and St Hilarion, but has not been in use since the 14th century.

It is a fairly steep climb, of stairs to reach the castle and so is not for the faint hearted.
The views are spectacular at the 960m above sea level, but you may well feel you need some healing after the climb!
The name Buffavento means ‘to disobey the wind’, our advise though is take something wind proof to wear, as the higher you climb it can become more and more breezy.

The healing legend comes from the byzantine period during which a princess was said to live in the castle who suffered from leprosy. The princess was isolating herself there from the rest of the world. All except her beloved dog who lived with her, and who had also contracted the leprosy.
Each day the princess would watch her dog visit a spring behind the southern peak of the castle area. Each day the dog would come back more and more healed until one day the dog’s leprosy had disappeared altogether.
The princess decided to try drinking and bathing in the same waters and was indeed also cured of her affliction.
Her dog had led her to wellness. The princess had the monastery of St John Chrysostomos built over the place of the healing spring.

The monastery location can also be visited in the village of Gungor, North Cyprus.
The image is a google map idea of its location in relation to the castle.

We have included a map of how to find Buffavento Castle from our main Crystal Bay Marina Resort on our Facebook page. Copies can also be obtained from the head office in Crystal Bay Marina.