Saranta Kolones, Medieval fortress near Paphos harbor, Cyprus.
Saranta Kolones is a medieval castle in Paphos featuring thick defensive walls, four corner towers, and intermediate towers linked by fortified passages. The structure displays the typical design of a seaside fortress with granite columns incorporated into its construction.
The fortress was built in the 7th century under Emperor Heraclius to guard Paphos harbor from Arab raids. An earthquake in 1222 destroyed most of the structure, leaving the ruins that remain today.
The site preserves the remains of a medieval stronghold that once guarded commerce and movement at the harbor, and visitors can still see where soldiers lived and worked within its walls.
The site sits within Paphos Archaeological Park and is straightforward to explore on foot. The ruins stand close to the harbor, making them accessible from multiple entry points.
The name comes from forty granite columns discovered during excavations, originally from an ancient marketplace near the fortress. These columns were later incorporated into the medieval walls, showing how different periods overlap at this location.
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