Limassol Castle (Κάστρο Λεμεσού) is a medieval stone fortress located in the heart of the historic old town, near the old harbour of Limassol, Cyprus. With a history stretching back to the Byzantine era, the castle has been a site of significant historical events, most notably the royal wedding of an English king. The structure has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times by various powers, including the Lusignans, Venetians, and Ottomans, with each leaving their mark on its architecture. Today, it stands as a robust symbol of the city’s rich medieval past and houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

Name and Address

• Name: Limassol Castle.
• Address: Richard & Berengaria Street, near the Old Port, Limassol, Cyprus.

How to Get There

The castle’s central location in the old town makes it a very accessible landmark.

• By Foot (Recommended): The castle is the focal point of Limassol’s old town. It is an easy and pleasant walk from the Limassol Marina, the old port, and the surrounding network of historic streets.
• By Bus: Numerous city bus routes stop near the old town and the coastal road, from which the castle is a short walk.
• By Car: While you can drive to the area, the streets immediately surrounding the castle are narrow and often pedestrianized. It is best to park in one of the municipal lots near the old port or marina and walk.
• Visitor Tip: The castle is relatively compact. A visit to the museum and the ramparts typically takes about an hour and can be easily combined with exploring the lively old town, with its restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Landscape and Architecture

The architecture of Limassol Castle is that of a formidable, multi-layered stone fortress, set within the vibrant landscape of the city’s historic core.

• Urban Fortress: Unlike a hilltop or coastal fort, Limassol Castle is an urban fortress, deeply integrated into the fabric of the old town. Its sturdy walls rise directly from the historic streets.
• Ottoman Reconstruction: The structure visible today is primarily the 16th-century Ottoman reconstruction, built over the ruins of earlier, larger Lusignan and Byzantine fortifications. Its architecture is thick, robust, and functional, reflecting its long history as a military and administrative center.
• Architectural Features: The castle is a square, stone-built structure with a central courtyard. The interior consists of a series of vaulted chambers on two levels. The ground floor was used as prison cells until as recently as 1950, while the upper floor houses the museum exhibits.
• The Ramparts: Visitors can climb a stone staircase to the top of the castle’s battlements. The roof offers excellent panoramic views over Limassol’s old town, the old port, and the modern marina.

What Makes It Famous

Limassol Castle is most famous for a legendary royal event and its role as the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

• The Royal Wedding of Richard the Lionheart: Its greatest claim to fame is being the traditional site where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191 during the Third Crusade. This is the only English royal wedding to have taken place outside of England.
• Cyprus Medieval Museum: The castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum. Its collection includes artifacts from the Early Christian period to the Ottoman era, such as medieval pottery, tombstones, weaponry, armour, coins, and architectural fragments from ancient basilicas.
• A Symbol of Limassol’s Old Town: The castle is the historical and architectural centerpiece of Limassol’s charming old town, a constant reminder of the city’s long and layered past.

Differences from Other Wonders

Limassol Castle offers a unique experience that distinguishes it from other castles and historical sites in Cyprus.

• Urban Setting vs. Coastal/Rural Forts: Limassol Castle is an urban castle, fully embedded in the city’s historic center. This is different from the dramatic coastal setting of Paphos Castle or the rural, agricultural landscape of Kolossi Castle. The experience is one of urban history, not of coastal defense or a feudal estate.
• A Museum vs. an Empty Keep: Unlike the largely empty interiors of Kolossi Castle or Paphos Castle, Limassol Castle is a dedicated museum. The visit is as much about viewing the historical artifacts inside as it is about the architecture of the building itself.
• Royal Connection to England: The castle’s direct connection to a major figure in English history, Richard the Lionheart, gives it a unique historical narrative that is different from the stories of the Knights Hospitaller at Kolossi or the Byzantine and Ottoman history of Paphos Castle.
• Compact and Contained: The castle is a single, relatively compact building. This makes for a more focused and less physically demanding visit compared to the sprawling, open-air archaeological parks of Ancient Kourion or Kato Paphos.