Paphos Castle (Medieval Fort)

Paphos Castle stands at the western end of the quay in Paphos Harbour, Kato Paphos, on the south-west coast of Cyprus. The first fortification on the spot was a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, and it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century after an earthquake in 1222 destroyed the earlier defences nearby. The Venetians, who took control of Cyprus in 1489, dismantled the castle in 1570 because they feared it would fall to the Ottomans, who conquered the island the following year. The Ottomans rebuilt the fort in 1592, and the structure seen today largely reflects their work, with a rectangular plan, thick stone walls, a gatehouse and a pair of towers. Under later rule it was used as a prison and as a salt storehouse, and in the British colonial period it served as a store before being declared an ancient monument. Inside, visitors enter a small courtyard with stone steps leading to the lower rooms and to the roof terrace. The interior is quite bare, with vaulted chambers and a few displays, and the principal reward is the roof, which looks out over the harbour, the fishing boats and the surrounding Kato Paphos waterfront. The castle is also used for open-air events, including performances during the annual Paphos Aphrodite Festival in the early autumn. Restoration by the Department of Antiquities has stabilised the walls and the roof terrace, and the building is now cared for as a heritage monument. The visit is short and does not follow a thematic exhibition, so it is best combined with a walk along the harbour and a visit to the nearby Saranta Kolones ruins.