/ journey to the history /
Richard The Lion Heart Castle
THE CYPRUS WINE MUSEUM
The Cyprus Wine Museum started operations
in November 2004, after 6 years of restoring,
expanding and decorating the 150 year old stone
building. It is situated at the edge of the wine-
producing countryside, in the village of Erimi on
the old motorway of Limassol-Paphos, 10 minutes
away from Limassol town centre. It is adjacent to
the historical Kolossi Castle, which is historically
connected to the production of Commandaria. By
way of a specially designed audiovisual presenta-
tion, visitors will get to know the 5500-year wine
culture of Cyprus from the birthplace of European
Wine, Erimi. At the same time they will get an
insight of the culture of Cyprus.
The Cyprus Wine Museum will take you on a
journey through the history of the island’s long
winemaking tradition. The various stages of wine
production and consumption — along with the
various uses of wine — are shown through dif-
ferent presentations. Ancient jars and canisters,
medieval drinking vessels, old documents and
instruments illustrate the social, economic and
symbolic aspects of wine production, whilst wine
tasting is also available.
Your transportation requirements for any of
these or other visits can be met by any of the local
Tour companies like 4VIPTour.
Operating
Hours: Daily:
09:00–17:00
except on Public
Holidays.
Operating
Period:
All year round
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 4 Euro
(5 Euro with wine
tasting); Free for
the children under
the age of 12.
Tel: +357 25 873
808 / 9; Fax:
+357 25 821 718
Be advised that
times and fees are
subject to change
without notice.
RICHARD THE LION HEART CASTLE
Visiting Hours:
The medieval Richard The Lion Heart Castle is
The castle is
situated near the old harbour in the heart of the
open to the
historical centre of Limassol city. As it appears
public only on
today, it is a structure rebuilt during the Turkish
Fridays between
domination (19th century). Close archeological
9am & 5pm.
examination has revealed multiple overlays, so
The Cyprus
this castle has an extended history.
Medieval Mu-
There are indications that an important
seum is open all
church, possibly the city’s first cathedral, was
year round, but
closed on public
built first at the site. Over this came an Early
holidays.
Christian basilica (4–7th century CE), with a
Operating
Middle Byzantine monument (10th‑11th century
Hours:
CE) laid over the pair. Lusignan history says that
Monday —
the original castle was erected by Guy de Lusig-
Friday:
nan in 1193, but this is not verifiable. The oldest
08.00–17.00
report on the existence of the Castle of Limassol
Saturday:
dates back to 1228 when Frederick II of Germany
09.00–17.00
and his supporters imprisoned the hostages
Sunday:
seized by Ibeline, the king regent of Cyprus. This
10:00–13:00
Castle seemed likely to be an ancient Byzantine
Tel:
Castle or one that took its place in the early
+357 25 305 419
Frankish period. Even so, further examination is
Entrance Fee:
necessary to resolve Early Christian, Middle Byz-
€4.50, with vari-
antine, Ottoman and Latin claims re the edifice.
ous concessions.
What is certain is that from erection until
www.mcw.gov.cy/da
early 16th century, the castle was repeatedly
attacked and damaged by the Genoese and Egyp-
tian Mamluk as well as by earthquakes, alternat-
ing with restoration and reconstruction. The Ottomans captured
Limassol and the castle in 1538; Bragadino, the Venetian governor
of Cyprus, after recapturing the castle, demolished it in 1567–68.
The Ottomans reacquired Cyprus in 1576 and the remnants of the
castle were incorporated in a new and considerably strengthened
Ottoman fort, completed in 1590. The underground chamber and
the first floor were transformed into prison cells and used as such by
the Ottomans till 1878 and the British till 1950.
Richard the Lionheart married Princess Berengaria of Navarre in
this castle in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England.
The Castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum with its exhibits
that include medieval pottery, tombstones, superb silver Byzantine
era plates, weapons, crosses and coins. Cyprus’ historical progress,
development, its economic, social and artistic evolution as well as
the daily life of its people from the 3rd to the 18th century A.D., can
be ascertained by the exhibits of this collection.
• 2018 EDITION
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