Larnaca Castle is a medieval Ottoman fortress founded by Europeans in the 14th century and rebuilt by the Turks in 1625 to protect Larnaca harbor. With the arrival of the British in 1878, the castle was renovated and transferred to judicial-police needs: there was a police station, detainees were kept and death sentences were executed by hanging. Shortly after the last execution at Larnaca Fort in 1948, the police station moved to the opposite side of Finikoudes Boulevard, where we have already seen it, and a historical museum was opened in the castle. During the city riots of 1963, some of the museum's exhibits were stolen or substantially damaged. In the northern part of the castle, two adjoining two-story Ottoman-style buildings have been preserved, on the ground floor of one of which is an arched gallery that acts as a courtyard and at the same time an entrance to the castle. On the second floor of this building is the Larnaca Historical Museum (Museum of the Middle Ages), which occupies four rooms, which houses exhibits from the early Christian basilicas of the 4th – 7th centuries. Inside there is a small exposition: dishes, weapons, an impressive collection of guns. Very beautiful top view of the sea. On the walls are photographs of frescoes from the early Christian period. The museum is open to visitors seven days a week. The room to the right of the entrance was equipped by the British to execute the convicts by hanging. In the castle, cannons of the beginning of the 20th century are still in place, the main function of which was to salute ships entering the harbor. Symphonic music concerts and theater festivals are regularly held in the castle's courtyard. See the museum’s opening hours and ticket prices on our audio guide. And now we will examine the oldest mosque in Larnaca.
Opening hours:
September 16 - April 15 Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 17:00
April 16 - September 15 Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 19:30
Saturday and Sunday: 09:30 - 17:00
Closed on holidays.
Ticket price: € 2.50
