The Castle in Paphos, a fascinating, iconic, neglected, abused remain of a layered fortification

Abstract

[EN] The Castle of Cyprus is quite symbolic in between the destinies of restoration, reuse or decay that happen to almost any past fortification: it was built in defence of the city's harbour in the XIIIth century by the Lusignan to replace the Byzantines fortress in 1222. The Venetians destroyed the castle in 1570 and the Ottomans rebuilt it. In time it was used as a fortress, as a prison and later as a salt warehouse. Architecturally, the main part of the castle consists of a large square tower with an enclosed courtyard. Its layout consists of a central hall surrounded by smaller rooms. Out of the main building, an extended system of ruins testifies the past presence of a large fortification of the whole harbour. The castle is now used as a museum, a touristic attraction and for cultural events. The transformation of the port, enlarged with new artificial cliffs alters the context of the site. Using photogrammetry and interpreting the traces left in the masonry the present research will present an architectural evaluation of the various phases of the Castle trying to give an informative structure to this “maybe too much iconic” castle.