The castle of the town of Limassol housing the Cyprus Medieval Museum. According to a legend it is the place where Richard Lionheart, king of England got married to Berengaria.

© Heracles Kritikos/Shutterstock

Lemesos Castle

Top choice in Lemesos (Limassol)


This 14th-century structure, built over the remains of a Byzantine castle, has been utilised by conquerors throughout Cyprus’ turbulent history. The Venetians vandalised it; the Ottomans gave it a facelift for military use; and the British used it as a colonial prison. It is said that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria in the chapel of the original castle in 1191, where he also grandly crowned himself King of Cyprus and his wife Queen of England.

In the courtyard surrounding the castle walls there’s an old olive press that dates from the 7th to 9th centuries.

The interior of Lemesos Castle contains a series of chambers on various levels that are home to the Medieval Museum. Don't miss the views from the ramparts.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lemesos (Limassol) attractions

1. Medieval Museum

This museum is an interesting hotchpotch of Byzantine and medieval artefacts, including tombstones, weaponry, Ottoman pottery, religious objects and a…

2. Natural Sea Sponge Exhibition Centre

0.05 MILES

This exhibition goes through the process of sea-sponge harvesting, and how the living creatures become the soft things we use in our baths. The cartoon,…

3. Grand Mosque

0.11 MILES

At the heart of the old Turkish quarter, the Grand Mosque is surrounded by palms almost as tall as its minaret. It is used by Lemesos' remaining Turkish…

4. Limassol Marina

0.18 MILES

With haute-couture boutiques, world-class art galleries, gourmet restaurants, stylish bars and, if that's not enough, a place to park your luxury yacht,…

5. Municipal Folk Art Museum

0.63 MILES

Spread over six rooms and a past winner of the prestigious Europa Nostra Award (EU prize for cultural heritage), this museum hosts beautiful…

6. Cyprus Theatre Museum

0.84 MILES

This former private collection belonging to an enthusiastic amateur actor offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of theatre in Cyprus through…

7. Lemesos Zoo

1.1 MILES

This small zoo is well maintained and has a selection of animals ranging from giraffes to crocodiles. Pony rides are available for kids (€3) and there's…

8. Archaeological Museum

1.16 MILES

This museum includes an extensive collection of pottery, and a selection of items dating from neolithic and Chalcolithic times through to Mycenaean…

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