Kolossi Castle

P3

Kolossi is a stronghold a few kilometers outside the city of Limassol in Cyprus.

History

The castle was for the management of southern Cyprus is of great strategic importance, and also served as a store of sugar, one of Cyprus' main exports in the Middle Ages. The original castle was probably built in 1210 by Frankish troops. The land was handed over by King Hugh III to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem ( Hospitallers). From 1306 to 1310 the Templars were under the usurped dominion of Amalric owner of the castle before it fell back to the Hospitallers. The present castle was built in 1454 by the Hospitallers under the Grand Commander Louis de Magnac. Today, from the castle nor the residential tower and the former sugar mill and parts of the surrounding walls receive.