Paphos Castle (Κάστρο της Πάφου) is a historic fortress located at the western edge of the picturesque Paphos Harbour in Cyprus. With a history marked by repeated destruction and reconstruction, the current structure is a testament to the city’s strategic importance throughout the centuries. Originally a Byzantine fort, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans, dismantled by the Venetians, and later restored by the Ottomans. Today, this sturdy stone castle stands as the iconic symbol of Paphos, guarding the entrance to the harbour and serving as a popular landmark and cultural venue.

Name and Address

• Name: Paphos Castle (also known as Paphos Fort).
• Address: Paphos Harbour, Kato Paphos, Cyprus.

How to Get There

The castle’s prime location at the end of the harbour makes it one of the most easily accessible landmarks in Paphos.

• By Foot (Recommended): The castle is the focal point of the Paphos Harbour. It is a pleasant walk along the waterfront promenade from anywhere in the Kato Paphos area.
• By Bus: The main Harbour bus station is just a few minutes’ walk from the castle, with frequent services connecting it to the rest of Paphos and surrounding areas.
• By Car: While you can drive to the harbour, the immediate area around the castle is pedestrianized. There are several large municipal parking lots a short walk away.
• Visitor Tip: A visit to the castle is typically short (under an hour) and can be easily combined with exploring the harbour’s restaurants and shops, as well as the adjacent Kato Paphos Archaeological Park.

Landscape and Architecture

The architecture of Paphos Castle is that of a simple, robust coastal fortification, defined by its strategic landscape at the harbour’s entrance.

• Harbour Entrance: The castle is situated on a mole at the very edge of the harbour, a strategic position that allowed it to control and protect maritime access to the city for centuries. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides.
• Ottoman Fortification: The structure seen today is primarily the 16th-century Ottoman restoration. It is a simple, two-story, square stone tower with a central courtyard. Its architecture is functional and military in nature, built for defense rather than residential comfort.
• Architectural Features: The castle is entered via an arched bridge over a small moat. Visitors can explore the ground-floor rooms, which were used as prison cells during the Ottoman era, and ascend to the roof. The main hall on the second floor was the primary living quarters for the guard.
• The Ramparts: The main attraction for many visitors is the accessible roof, or battlements. From here, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the entire Paphos Harbour, the bustling coastal promenade, and the Mediterranean Sea.

What Makes It Famous

Paphos Castle is famous primarily for its iconic location and its resilient history.

• The Symbol of Paphos Harbour: The castle is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Paphos. Its image is synonymous with the city’s picturesque harbour.
• A Layered History: The site has a long and turbulent history. It began as a Byzantine fort, was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in the 16th century to prevent it from falling into enemy hands, and finally rebuilt by the Ottomans after they conquered the island. This cycle of destruction and reconstruction tells the story of Cyprus’s strategic importance.
• Cultural Venue: Today, the castle is a vibrant cultural hub. The square in front of the castle is the main venue for the annual Paphos Aphrodite Festival, a major open-air opera performance that uses the medieval castle as its dramatic backdrop.
• Panoramic Views: The view from the top of the castle is one of the best in Paphos, offering a perfect vantage point for photographing the harbour and the coastline.

Differences from Other Wonders

Paphos Castle offers a different experience compared to the other major historical sites in Cyprus.

• A Singular Fort vs. a Sprawling City: Paphos Castle is a single, compact military fort. This is a much more focused experience than visiting the vast, sprawling ruins of an entire ancient city like Ancient Kourion or the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park.
• Medieval Military vs. Ancient Domestic Life: The castle tells a story of military defense from the medieval and Ottoman periods. This contrasts with the archaeological parks, which showcase the domestic, civic, and religious life of the earlier Greek and Roman eras through their grand villas and mosaics.
• Symbolic Landmark vs. Hidden Ruins: While the ruins at Kourion and Kato Paphos are extensive, they are largely low-lying foundations. Paphos Castle is a prominent, vertical landmark that defines the city’s modern landscape. It is an icon, not just an archaeological site.
• Ottoman/Venetian History vs. Crusader Keep: Compared to Kolossi Castle, which is a prime example of a Crusader-era inland keep associated with agricultural commanderies, Paphos Castle is a coastal fort whose current structure is primarily Ottoman, built on Lusignan and Venetian foundations. Its history is more directly tied to the control of the sea.