Forty Columns Castle

EXCURSIONS / Sites of Interest / Paphos / Forty Columns Castle
The Byzantine castle known as Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) is located just north of the harbour of Pafos (Paphos). It takes its name from the large number of granite columns that were found on the site and probably once formed part of the ancient agora.

The castle is believed to have been built at the end of the 7th century AD to protect the port and the city of Nea Pafos from Arab raids and later remodeled by the Lusignans.

A three-metre thick wall with eight towers and a moat surrounded the castle. Access was across a wooden bridge spanning the moat. The square courtyard measured 35 metres long by 35 metres wide, with a tower at each corner. The main entrance was through a fifth, horseshoe-shaped tower on the east side. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1223, the castle was subsequently abandoned. 

Accreditation: Unesco World Heritage
Address: Pafos

Σχετικά Άρθρα


Pernera Beach

Located in Agia Napa between the beaches of Vathia Gonia and Katsarka, Pernera Beach is 350 meters long and 25 metres...


Artemis Nature Trail

As you can imagine, the trail got its name from the goddess Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo...


Larnaca District Archaeological ...

The museum exhibits findings from the main Neolithic settlements of Choirokitia and Tenta, both located in the district of...


Kalopanagiotis - Oikos Villages ...

Passing through private land with vineyards and fruit trees, the trail reaches Kykkos water mill on the banks of Setrachou...