Kolossi Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

Kolossi Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)…

What a wonderful Castle, or Fort, as it is also known!

The history behind this Medieval Castle is very interesting as it is directly associated with the presence of the Knights Templar and the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

In addition, the Castle is also associated with the production of the sweet wine called “vin de Commanderie”. It’s one of the oldest named wines in the world!

…Since the Castle has quite a story to tell…

…let’s start!

Click the quick links below to see pictures and read more about this wonderful Castle in Kolossi in the Limassol district.

Quick links:

About Kolossi Castle (Limassol Cyprus)
Pictures of Kolossi Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

About Kolossi Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

The Castle

Kolossi Castle is a fine example of military architecture!

In the early 13th century during the Frankish period, the Kolossi Castle was built. It’s an impressive, square, three storey limestone building and it’s located in the Limassol district at the south edge of Kolossi village…hence the name.

It is directly associated with the presence of the Knights Templar and the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the island.

Specifically…

…the Castle was built in 1210 by the Knights Hospitallers (the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) as the seat of the Supreme military commandment (Grande Commanderie).

The Knights Templar took briefly possession of the Castle in 1306. In 1313 the Knights Templar was abolished, so the Knights Hospitallers took possession of the castle of Kolossi.

However, in 1425-26 the Castle was destroyed during the raids of the Mameluke tribes.

After the destruction of the Castle, the Great Commander Louis de Magnac built the existing Castle upon the ruins of the 13th century castle.

In the interior of the second floor, on a fresco, and in the east external side of the Castle you will see Louis de Magnac’s coat-of-arms together with the emblems of Jerusalem, Cyprus and Armenia as well as with the old Lusignan coat-of-arms.

The walls of the Castle, or fort, contain an aqueduct, a sugar factory and the Byzantine church of St. Efstathios.

Today, the Castle of Kolossi is visited by many locals and tourists alike as it is one of the most significant Frankish fortification works that remain in Cyprus.

If you visit the Castle, just make sure you go up to the top of the Castle (the roof) and admire the view from up there. If you like taking pictures of landscapes take the camera with you. You will find the Castle and the area around the Castle enchanting.

Commandaria Wine

The Castle is associated with the production of fine wines, especially a sweet wine called Commandaria.

Specifically…

…during the stay of the Knights on the island, they produced and exported a sweet wine called “vin de Commanderie”.

Today, this sweet wine is called Commandaria and it’s one of the oldest named wines in the world as it has the same name for eight centuries. Also, Commandaria wine is one of the island’s traditional wines.

The Sugar Mill

To the East of the Castle you will find the remains of a factory that produced sugar from sugarcane.

The primary structure is a long, narrow, stone-made, arch-covered hall…the sugar refinery. In the external south side of the sugar mill you will find an inscription saying that the building was repaired in 1591, when Pasha Murat was Governor of the island.

To the north of the hall you will find the ruins of the water mill and the water tower.