Cyprus castles and watchtowers
Cyprus cultural heritage also includes a number of medieval castles and watchtowers both in the north as well as in the south part of the island. Some castles date back to the Byzantine era while others were built later during the Frankish and Venetian era. Presently there are four castles in the north part of Cyprus (excluding the military constructions in Walled Famagusta, eg Othello's tower and Walled Nicosia with its bastions, there's also a fortified construction on Pentadactylos mountains that some experts consider to be a castle - near Profitis Ilias peak) as well as four castles and four medieval watchtowers in the south (and ruins of another watchtower).
Possibly the most impressive, because of their dramatic location on razor-edged limestone peaks and of their architecture, are the three castles on Pentadactylosmountains, ie Saint Ilarion, Voufavento and Kantara. According to local belief one of the three inspired Walt Disney in the design of a castle in one of his fairy tale cartoon productions (Sleeping Beauty?). The three Pentadactylos castles are strategically located and one could communicate with the adjacent castle using fire signals. Fortunately these as well as Kyreneia castle in the north part of Cyprus were not 'harmed' after 1974 (unlike many other pieces of Cyprus cultural heritage). Each of the Cyprus castles and medieval watchtowers has its own story to tell. Kolossi castle for example was constructed by the Templar Knights, a medieval military order that bought and ruled Cyprus for one year immediately after Richard the Lionheart conquered the island in 1191 AD. In its courtyard it has ruins of a sugar mill. Strangely enough, for a period of time sugarcane, a crop that is normally found near the tropics, was cultivated in Cyprus. In the courtyard of Kolossi castle there's also an ancient Rosewood tree. A number of Cyprus castles were used at times either as storage places or prisons. Besides Kolossi castle and the three Pentadactylos castles, there are castles in good condition in Kyreneia in the north part of Cyprus, as well as in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca. On the south coastline of Cyprus and east of Limassol there are four medieval watchtowers in good condition. There is a watchtower in Pervolia village, not far from the lighthouse and the beach, one in Xylophagou on the rocky coast, as well as Koulas in Alaminos village and one in Pyla village. In the past more castles were found in Cyprus, for example in Gastria village (in the north part of Cyprus) as well as in Choirokitia. On the north west coast, near the village of Pyrgos Tyllirias ('Pyrgos' means castle in Greek - there's another village with the same name in Cyprus, it's near Limassol and probably took its name from a castle that was constructed there) there are ruins of a medieval watchtower at a high altitude location very close to the coast. It is locally known as 'Troulli'.
The map below is presented for indicative purposes and it is not accurate. Accurate information on Cyprus medieval bridges can be found in Phivos Ioannides' book 'Exploring Authentic Cyprus'.
For interested parties Cyprus Walks Etc organise customised trips to Cyprus castles and watchtowers.
Possibly the most impressive, because of their dramatic location on razor-edged limestone peaks and of their architecture, are the three castles on Pentadactylosmountains, ie Saint Ilarion, Voufavento and Kantara. According to local belief one of the three inspired Walt Disney in the design of a castle in one of his fairy tale cartoon productions (Sleeping Beauty?). The three Pentadactylos castles are strategically located and one could communicate with the adjacent castle using fire signals. Fortunately these as well as Kyreneia castle in the north part of Cyprus were not 'harmed' after 1974 (unlike many other pieces of Cyprus cultural heritage). Each of the Cyprus castles and medieval watchtowers has its own story to tell. Kolossi castle for example was constructed by the Templar Knights, a medieval military order that bought and ruled Cyprus for one year immediately after Richard the Lionheart conquered the island in 1191 AD. In its courtyard it has ruins of a sugar mill. Strangely enough, for a period of time sugarcane, a crop that is normally found near the tropics, was cultivated in Cyprus. In the courtyard of Kolossi castle there's also an ancient Rosewood tree. A number of Cyprus castles were used at times either as storage places or prisons. Besides Kolossi castle and the three Pentadactylos castles, there are castles in good condition in Kyreneia in the north part of Cyprus, as well as in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca. On the south coastline of Cyprus and east of Limassol there are four medieval watchtowers in good condition. There is a watchtower in Pervolia village, not far from the lighthouse and the beach, one in Xylophagou on the rocky coast, as well as Koulas in Alaminos village and one in Pyla village. In the past more castles were found in Cyprus, for example in Gastria village (in the north part of Cyprus) as well as in Choirokitia. On the north west coast, near the village of Pyrgos Tyllirias ('Pyrgos' means castle in Greek - there's another village with the same name in Cyprus, it's near Limassol and probably took its name from a castle that was constructed there) there are ruins of a medieval watchtower at a high altitude location very close to the coast. It is locally known as 'Troulli'.
The map below is presented for indicative purposes and it is not accurate. Accurate information on Cyprus medieval bridges can be found in Phivos Ioannides' book 'Exploring Authentic Cyprus'.
For interested parties Cyprus Walks Etc organise customised trips to Cyprus castles and watchtowers.