The Roman Castle in Paphos
Visiting The Roman Castle in Paphos
Cyprus is home to many amazing archaeological sites, but if you plan to visit Paphos anytime soon, you’re going to want to make sure that you see the stunning castle here. This structure has had an interesting history indeed – and if you visit, you’ll get the chance to learn all about this medieval castle and how it’s changed over the years.
Things you need to know about Paphos Castle
Paphos Castle has changed considerably since it was first built by the Byzantines many years ago. At first, this building was constructed as a fort to protect the harbour – but unfortunately, it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1222.
In the 13th century, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans as a castle, only to be dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 during the Ottoman invasion, as they didn’t want their opponents to benefit from it. After the Ottomans had captured the island, they rebuilt the castle. An inscription on the marble wall above the entrance to the structure states that the castle was reconstructed and strengthened in 1592.
Throughout the castle’s history, it has been used as a prison and even a salt warehouse during the time of the British occupation.
How much of Castle Paphos still remains?
Most of what remains of this grand and ancient structure is its central tower – and unfortunately, there’s not too much else of it left. The good news is that it’s still an incredible site and is still in use. The lower level of the castle is occupied by a grand and spacious hall and masonry vaults, while the upper level was once used as a garrison mosque. From the top, you’ll get a spectacular view of Paphos and the sea.
While visiting, you may want to check out the ruins of a second fortress that is located here, which historians believe came from a structure that was built at the same time as the Paphos Castle.
What can you do here?
Aside from marvelling at this fascinating building, you may be wondering what else there is for you to do at the grand Roman castle – and if so, you’ll be glad to hear that this site has quite a lot to offer.
Exploring the castle
The castle is open for visitors every day for a fee of €2.50 – and it’s no secret that many tourists want to see what it looks like on the inside. Most would agree that it’s just as impressive on the outside as it is within, so make sure you don’t miss out.
The Aphrodite Festival
Every September, the Aphrodite Festival is hosted in the square just in front of the castle. Each year there’s a different opera staged here, each with world-famous artists using the castle as a stunning backdrop. This has brought shows like Aida, La Traviata and more. There are also other culture events held here throughout the year, too.