Limassol Castle
On Gingerguide's self-guided Limassol audio tour, Limassol Castle is a stop worth about ~45 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type castle
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Limassol Limassol guide
About Limassol Castle
The small medieval castle by the old harbour where, by tradition, Richard the Lionheart married and crowned his queen in 1191; the Ottoman-rebuilt fort now holds the Cyprus Medieval Museum.
Limassol Castle stands near the old harbour in the heart of the historic centre. The sturdy building you see today is largely an Ottoman reconstruction of about 1590, raised over the remains of earlier castles and, excavations show, over an Early Christian basilica. By tradition it is here that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191, during the Third Crusade, though that older castle has long vanished.
Inside, pointed Gothic vaulted halls and narrow stairways climb to a rooftop terrace with views over the old town and the sea. Since 1987 the castle has housed the Cyprus Medieval Museum, with medieval pottery, tombstones, weapons, coins and fine Byzantine silver. Its basement cells served as a prison into the twentieth century, and the garden around it holds old stone presses.
Did you know? Limassol Castle as seen today is largely an Ottoman reconstruction of about 1590, built over the remains of earlier castles and an Early Christian basilica near the old harbour.
How much time do you need at Limassol Castle?
Around ~45 min works well for Limassol Castle — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Limassol Castle?
Yes — Limassol Castle made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Limassol. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Limassol
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Limassol Castle and read more:
Day 1 of the Limassol in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Limassol Castle
Preview the Limassol tour free in the Gingerguide app.