Limassol Castle (Limassol, Cyprus) And The Cyprus Medieval Museum

Limassol castle (Limassol, Cyprus)…

This small but charming Medieval Castle is located near the old harbor of Limassol and it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

It’s another thing to hear about the Medieval times and it’s another thing to experience it!

So if you are in the neighborhood pay this charming Medieval Castle a visit.

You will get to see not only the Castle but also the exhibits of the Cyprus Medieval Museum. What a wonderful experience!

Click the quick links below to see pictures and read more about this charming Medieval Castle in Limassol along with its Museum.

Quick links:

• About Limassol Castle (Limassol Cyprus) and its Medieval Museum
• Pictures of Limassol Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

About Limassol Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

The Castle

In the heart of the historical center of the Limassol city, near the old harbor, you will find the Limassol Castle which houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

(More on the Museum please see below).

There are lots of rooms in the Castle to explore. So take your time and visit all the rooms. In these rooms you will find Medieval exhibits. Also, we recommend going to the top of the Castle to admire the view.

The Limassol Castle was built in the 13th century over an Early Christian Basilica (4th-7th century AD) and a Middle Byzantine monument (10th-11th century AD). Also, archaeological finds, which were found beneath the Castle, show the existence of an important church, possibly the city’s first cathedral.

Based on archaeological sources, the Castle was much larger in its original form.

The Venetians made many modifications to it so it could defend the town. Its walls were strengthened to ward off sea-pirates.

The present building dates to the period of Ottoman Rule.

Specifically…

…According to Etienne Lusignan, the original Castle was erected by Guy de Lusignian in 1193. However, the continuous attacks by the Genoese and Mameluks as well as earthquakes caused lots of damages.

In 1538, the Ottomans captured the Castle.

After recapturing the Castle, the Venetian governor of the island decided to demolish it in order to avoid possible seizure. The destruction was completed in 1567/8.

When the Ottomans took acquisition of the island in 1576, the remains of the Castle were incorporated in the new Ottoman fort. The fort was considerably strengthened.

The first floor and the underground chamber became prison cells and remained in use until as recently as the 1950s.

Once the central prisons were transferred to Nicosia, the capital city of the island, the Department of Antiquities used the Castle as the District’s Museum. The Castle housed the Cyprus Medieval Museum since 1987.

(During the British Rule, the Castle functioned as a police station and as a place of detainment).

The Cyprus Medieval Museum

The Cyprus Medieval Museum is housed in this charming Medieval Castle in the heart of the historical center of the city of Limassol.

It exhibits Medieval pottery, tombstones, magnificent silver Byzantine era plates, crosses, weapons and coins. You will find these exhibits all over the Castle.

Through these exhibits,you will see the historical development of the island, its social, economic and artistic evolution and the islanders’ daily life from the 3rd to the 18th century AD.

So you have a lot to see and discover if you visit it.

Legend Has It…

…that the King of England and leader of the 3rd Crusade – Richard the Lionheart – arrived near Amathus on his way to the Holy Land; and…

…in the Castle’s chapel, he celebrated his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre, crowning her Queen of England.

Pictures of Limassol Castle (Limassol, Cyprus)

Inside the Limassol Castle, Limassol, Cyprus

The View From The Roof of The Castle

Outside the Castle

…And that wraps up our article on the Limassol Castle (Limassol, Cyprus) and its Medieval Museum. We hope you have a great holiday here on our island! Enjoy :-)

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