Castles and fortresses of Cyprus

The first fortresses appeared in Cyprus during the reign of the Byzantines. In the 12th century, King Richard the Lionheart captured Cyprus. After that, he sold it to the Templars. Subsequently, the former King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan, became King of Cyprus. Under the Lusignans, the main castles were built, which were later fortified by the Venetians.

The castles in the south were destroyed before the Turks invaded Cyprus in 1571. The castles in Paphos and Larnaca were rebuilt by the Turks in the form of small forts. Powerful castles are preserved only in Northern Cyprus.

This overview shows the main castles of Cyprus:

1. St. Hilarion's Castle
2. Kyrenian Castle
3. Othello Castle
4. Fortress Of Famagusta
5. Saranta Colones Castle
6. Paphos Castle
7. Larnaca Castle

Follow the hyperlinks to read in detail about each castle and see a large number of photos

St. Hilarion's Castle

The Castle of St. Hilarion is located on a rocky mountain range that rises in Northern Cyprus above Kyrenia. The most beautiful castle in Cyprus is located in a very romantic location. It is worth coming here, even if you are on vacation in southern Cyprus. 

In the 6th century the Byzantines built here watchtowers. From there they could monitor the northern coast of Cyprus to warn coastal castles of a possible attack by Arab ships. In the 12th century, Cyprus was bought by the King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan. He began the construction of powerful castles in the ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta, and he turned the castle of St. Hilarion into his summer residence. Here began a major construction, which made the castle almost impregnable. 

In the Castle of St. Hilarion, three levels were built. On the lower level there were barracks for soldiers, kitchens, stables, and utility rooms. From the lower level, the stairs went up to the only door on the second level. It contained an audience hall, a banquet hall, living rooms for guests, a royal guard room, and the Church of St. Christopher, built in the 11th century. At this level, the kings received their guests. 

Kyrenian Castle

Kyrenian Castle is located on the northern coast of Cyprus and is the most powerful of all the surviving castles in Cyprus. Only the bastions of Famagusta, which are also located in Northern Cyprus, can compare with it. 

The Kyrenian castle protects the entrance to the port of Kyrenia, which in the Middle Ages was used as actively as the harbor of Famagusta. The first fortifications to protect the harbor of Kyrenia were built by the Romans, but nothing has survived since then. More powerful fortifications were built during the period of Byzantine rule in Cyprus. Next to the Kyrenian Castle, the Byzantines built the Church of St. George. 

In 1208, Guy de Lusignan ordered Jean Ibelin to begin work on strengthening the Kyrenian castle. It was significantly expanded and strengthened. The Church of St. George was included inside its walls, but was not destroyed and has survived to this day. Even more powerful fortifications in the Kyrenian castle were built by the Venetians in 1540. Then the castle was adapted for the use of artillery. Since then, it has remained to this day without changes. 

Othello Castle

Othello castle is the main citadel of Famagusta fortress. It is located in the North-Eastern part of the old town. The length of the city`s fortified walls reached 3 kilometers, but the Othello Castle inside these walls was absolutely impregnable. Its name is not occasional, because in the castle of Othello the events described by Shakespeare in his famous play Othello, took place. 

The Lusignan dynasty gained control of Cyprus in 1192. In 1218, Henry I de Lusignan began the construction of this fortress to protect the country`s main port. In 1492, during the reign of the Venetians, the castle was completely reconstructed, taking into account the increased power of artillery. 

At first, the castle was simply called Castello, which means "Fortress". The name "Othello`s Castle" appeared much later, when William Shakespeare`s play "Othello" became famous all over the world. The story that Shakespeare described in his play "Othello", in fact, happened in Famagusta. Today Othello Castle is a Museum. 

Fortress Of Famagusta

The fortress of Famagusta was built during the Lusignan rule, but during the Venetian rule it became impregnable. The most well preserved Castle of Othello and the Martinengo Bastion. However, the fortress walls and other sections are still in very good condition and are of interest to tourists.

The length of the fortress walls of Famagusta reaches 3 kilometers. The height of the walls was 17 meters. In many places, the Venetians integrated the walls into the rock, which increased their strength. The Venetians brought their best architects to the construction of the Famagusta fortress walls, who designed them taking into account the increased power of artillery.

On the South-West side are the Land gate, which was protected by the powerful Ravelin Gate Bastion. It was built by the Venetians in 1544. You can enter the Bastion to see the fortifications.

Saranta Colones Castle

Saranta Kolones Castle was the main stronghold of the fortress wall that surrounded Kato Paphos in the 6th century. The castle was located 200 meters from the sea. It was a regular quadrangle with a wall length of 35 meters. On the sides there were fortress towers. 

Saranta Kolones Castle was built by the Byzantines in the 6th century, when the Arab Caliphate appeared in the Middle East, and Cyprus was threatened with the capture of the island. It was fortified with granite columns, which were transferred from the Greek Agora of Kato Paphos. Because of these columns, the castle was named Saranta Colones, which means "Castle of the Forty Columns". 

In 1222 it was destroyed by a powerful earthquake, along with other buildings of Paphos. After that, the castle of Saranta Colones was not restored. The new Paphos Castle was built at the entrance to the harbor of Paphos.

Paphos Castle

Paphos Castle is located at the entrance to the bay of the old port of Paphos. The word "castle" is not quite suitable for this structure, it is better to call it the Paphos Fort. The castle in Paphos was first built in the 12th century by order of Guy de Lusignan, but then it was located on the territory of the old town of Kato Paphos, 200 meters from the sea. That citadel was called Castle Saranta Colones.

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The new castle was built in the 14th century at the entrance to the harbor of Paphos. It withstood a Genoese siege in 1373, but the main battles for Cyprus were fought on the eastern shore. After the fall of Famagusta, the defense of Paphos had no sense anymore. 

The Venetians did the same in 1571, when their war with the Turks for the possession of Cyprus was nearing its end. The main fighting again took place in Famagusta. The defense of Paphos initially made no sense, and the Venetians completely destroyed the Paphos Castle in 1570, so that it would not fall to the Turks.The Turks restored the Paphos castle in 1592, but in the form of a fort.

Larnaca Castle

Larnaca castle is located on the Finikoudes promenade in the historical center of the city. The size of Larnaca castle is small. It looks like a Fort. Inside there is a Museum. 

The first fortifications to protect the port of Larnaca appeared in the 14th century under king James I of the Lusignan dynasty. The castle was fortified during the Venetian rule. Under them, it served not only as a defensive function, but also as a trading port. 

In 1571, the Turks captured Cyprus. During the capture of the island, the castle of Larnaca was destroyed. In 1625, by order of the Turkish ruler of Cyprus, a fortified Fort was built on the site of the destroyed Larnaca castle.