Located in the heart of Limassol’s historic center, just above the Old Port, the Medieval Castle is one of the city’s most important landmarks and a lasting reminder of Cyprus’ medieval past. The castle was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine fortification, although its exact original form and date of construction remain the subject of historical and archaeological research. The first official reference to the fortress dates to 1228. Over the centuries, the castle underwent several alterations and suffered damage from invasions and earthquakes. During the Ottoman period, it was rebuilt in 1590, taking the form that largely survives today. Parts of the earlier fortress were incorporated into the later structure, including the two elongated halls on the ground floor and underground areas that were used as prison cells. The castle is also associated with one of Cyprus’ most famous medieval legends. According to tradition, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England. Although the precise location of the ceremony remains a matter of historical discussion, the tradition has become an enduring part of Limassol’s medieval identity. Today, the castle houses the **Cyprus Medieval Museum**, whose collection includes medieval pottery, tombstones, Byzantine silverware, weapons, crosses, coins and other artefacts illustrating the