The fact that Kantara Castle is built on a rock at an altitude of 700 meters suggests that the castle was built in the 10th century for surveillance purposes. In all sources on the history of the Cyprus peninsula, Kantara Castle was first mentioned in 1191, and at that time, the Byzantine despot Isaac Comnenus took refuge in Kantara Castle after a defeat. As can be understood from this, it is also known that Kantara Castle hosted many defeated barons and kings within its walls throughout history.
After the island of Cyprus was purchased by the Lusignans, some changes were made to the castle, and when the Genoese captured Nicosia and Gazimağusa in 1371, Prince John of Antioch, brother of King Peter I of Cyprus, fled and took refuge in Kantara Castle. Later, King James I of Cyprus re-fortified the castle. Most of the ruins that can be seen today belong to the parts built by King James, and it is understood that the castle was used until 1525 and then the Venetians abandoned the place as they did not need the defense of castles far from the sea such as St. Hilarion and Buffavento.
The entrance to the East of Kantara Castle is connected by a barbican reinforced with towers on both sides. The castle is surrounded by deep cliffs on three sides. It is seen that the front walls of this part have horseshoe-shaped towers at the North and South ends. At the Southwest end of the walls, there are the ruins of a watchtower and rooms, some of which have been converted into cisterns. There is also a tower built for communication with Buffavento Castle at the summit. On the sea side of the entrance, there is a passage with loopholes and a northeastern tower with a cross-vaulted room. There is also a room on the upper side of the castle.