Limassol Castle (Cyprus Medieval Museum)

Home of the Cyprus Medieval Museum and the legend of Richard’s wedding

Local name: Κάστρο Λεμεσού (Μεσαιωνικό Μουσείο Κύπρου)

Collection: Cyprus Basics Exam · Cyprus · Open in OpenStreetMap

The story

This small fortress stands by the Old Port of Limassol. The present building was put up by the Ottomans around 1590. Its walls took in the remains of an earlier castle, which had suffered from raids and earthquakes. Under the fortress, archaeologists found an Early Christian basilica and a Middle Byzantine building. Until 1950 it was a prison, and since 1987 it has housed the Cyprus Medieval Museum. The museum tells of the island’s history, art and daily life from the third to the eighteenth century. In May 1191, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol. By tradition, this happened on the site of the castle.

The Cyprus Medieval Museum is in Limassol Castle, not in Larnaca Fort, which also has a small museum. Limassol is linked to the wedding of Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria in 1191.

Visiting

According to the Department of Antiquities: Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00, ticket €4.50. The building is not wheelchair accessible. Check holiday hours in advance.

On the way

• Paphos → Limassol
• Paphos → Nicosia
• Larnaca → Limassol

Photos

Sources

• Department of Antiquities of Cyprus — Limassol Castle (Cyprus Medieval Museum)
• Encyclopaedia Britannica — Richard I, king of England (wedding in Limassol on May 12, 1191)
• Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com) — Lemesos (Limassol) Medieval Castle
• Hallouminati — Museums of Cyprus (exam prep, “don’t confuse” note)

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