A Visit to The Castle of the Columns, Pathos

Visitors to the Pathos generally only bother to see the nearby Ottoman harbour fort.  Its hard to avoid, dominating the entrance to the port.  In reality of course was only part of the harbour defences, and it`s original medieval construction has been masked by subsequent Ottoman rebuilding.  A hundred yards inland another castle, the Saranda Kolones is far less well known, but is a far more substantial fortress, above Paphos Harbour, but these days hidden behind the trees lining the Archaeological Park!

Looking towards the gate from the courtyard

The Saranda Kolones, or Forty Columns, was named because of the recycling of the large granite columns that once lined the Agora in the ancient city.  Actually lots of the columns are still in situ nearby in the archaeology park, a UNESCO World heritage site, also well worth a look.

Constructed by the Byzantines in the 7th century AD the square fort was built  as protection for the harbour nearby city from seaborne Ottoman Arab raids. The castle played a role in Richard The Lionheart's conquest of the island, and was occupied until 1223 AD when it was destroyed by a severe earthquake.  (one of the Osprey books has a great Angus McBride illustration of the destruction of the castle by the earthquake)

Much of what can be seen today is the later renovation and reconstruction by the Lusignans when Cyprus was one of the Crusader States. The initial square fort structure had circular towers added at each corner, and another four round towers positioned along the joining walls.  The moat  was re-dug and enlarged, the only access being via a wooden bridge..

Note the columns fallen to either side of the walkway.

The original Byzantine wall was widened to three-metres thick. Visitors can`t get into the chambers under the castle, but they can still be seen in places.

The squared castle courtyard was approximately 35 metres long and wide, with a circular tower standing at each corner.  The castle’s main entrance was through a fifth tower, which was shaped as a horseshoe on the eastern side.

Looking down into the moat.  

I really wanted to visit the castle again because I plan to model it for my 15mm Lion Rampant games.  I see the castle most days, since it is just behind the main car park in the Harbour,  (just behind the tree line in this photo)  and I admit to being a little obsessed with it.

There seems a mix of Byzantine and Frankish architecture at work here.  Of course this is a 1500 year old castle, so what's not to like!

Late December is a great time to visit the archaeological site.  During the summer it is too hot to do much walking and there is a lot to see, including some of the most beautiful 1st and 2nd Century mosaics still in existence.