- Type
- Castle
- Built
- 1592 · 16th century
- Coordinates
- 34.7537°, 32.4070°
History
In Byzantine times the harbour of Paphos was already protected by a fort, which the Lusignan kings of Cyprus rebuilt in the 13th century. It was reportedly damaged by an earthquake in the Middle Ages, and in 1570 the Venetians dismantled it themselves so that it would not fall to the advancing Ottomans. After taking the island, the Ottomans built the present fort in 1592 on the western tower of the old fortress, as an inscription above the entrance records. It served as a stronghold and, under Ottoman rule, also as a prison. The British used it to store salt and declared it a monument in 1935.
What to see
The compact square building stands at the end of the quay, beside a promenade lined with cafés and boats. A stone bridge over the former moat leads into a large ground-floor hall and the old cells. The flat roof gives views over the harbour, the sea and the archaeological sites of Paphos, which are on the UNESCO list. Remains of a medieval Frankish tower can be seen nearby.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q2505824
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