Editor Pick
A Well Preserved Harbour Fortress
- April 28, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Praskipark from Warsaw, Poland
If you go in the winter months then the castle is only open in the week. It was bult in the 8th century by the Byzantines and in my opinion, is the best preserved harbour fortress on the whole of the island. The base of the round tower has survived from the earliest days and marks the northwest corner of the complex. At that time the Byzantine St George's chapel was located outside the castle. The Lusignans renovated the north and east and built the horse shoe shaped Northeast tower and also the living quarters in the inner courtyrard. Although you can see the military functionalism there is still a touch of courtly elegance to admire.
In the 16th century the Venetians modified the castle still further and they are responsible for the finished design. In 1374 Genoese siege engines inflicted considerable damage to the walls and after the development of siege cannons, the fortress with its high, but rather weak walls, was too vulnerable to defend. Apart from the new Northwest Tower, there was no space for further reinforcement on the seaward side. But as a maritime power with galleys controlling the seas, the Venetian strategists mostly feared attacks from the land, so a new wall was constructed and the intervening land filled with earth and stones, thus creating a rampart 38 metres thick. An impression of the strength of these fortifications can be gained from the long, slippery passageway which leads through them down into the casements of the Southwest bastion. The strengthened fort was never put to the test, though. In 1570 and without a shot being fired, the Venetian troops - demoralised by the fall of Nicosia - surrendered to the Ottoman admiral Sadik Pasa, who still guards over the entrance from his sarcophagus in the gatehouse.
(Open Daily - 8am -1pm and 2,30 - 5pm)
From journal An Idyllic Harbour Nestled Below Five Fingered Mountain