Saranta Kolones Castle

Are you ready to be transported into the history of Paphos with a visit to the Saranta Kolones Castle? This ruined medieval fortress in the Paphos Archaeological Park will take you on an adventure.

The fortress takes its name from the granite columns still visible on the site, relics of an ancient agora. As a local, I can tell you that this is an absolute must-visit location!

This incredible architectural wonder was constructed to keep Arab pirates at bay and safeguard the port of Nea Pafos.

The massive three-meter thick walls and the four enormous corner towers helped protect the castle from intruders, and the wooden bridge provided access to the castle across the moat.

Oh, and did you know that the castle used to boast another four intermediary towers?

Though the castle was destroyed in 1222 by a powerful earthquake, it remains an intriguing tourist destination for history buffs and curious travelers.

Exploring the 35×35 square meter courtyard with a tower in each corner will give you an idea of the grand scale of the castle. And the horseshoe-shaped tower on the east side provided the main entrance for castle visitors.

Currently a site of ongoing excavations, we recommend adding Saranta Kolones to your travel itinerary to witness the incredible ancient engineering.

Get ready to take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the history of Paphos.