Othello Castle: A Historic Fortress in Famagusta, Cyprus
Visitor Information
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Country: Cyprus
Civilization: Unclassified
Remains: Military
History
Othello Castle stands within the municipality of Famagusta in northern Cyprus, originally constructed by the Lusignan rulers in the early 14th century. Built as a fortress guarding the city’s port, it also served as the primary entrance to Famagusta, reflecting its strategic importance in medieval times.
During the Lusignan period, the castle was designed to withstand heavy assault, surrounded by deep moats that contributed to its reputation as an almost impregnable stronghold. In 1492, following the transfer of Cyprus to Venetian control, Captain Niccolò Foscari undertook extensive renovations. Key among these was the replacement of the original square towers with rounded ones, a design better suited to the emerging use of artillery in defense. This transformation was reportedly carried out with guidance from Leonardo da Vinci, who advised on fortification upgrades around 1481.
The fortress saw a brief period under Ottoman control after their 1570 conquest of Famagusta. The Ottomans enhanced the castle’s defenses by adding bastions and thickening the walls at certain corners. Their occupation lasted roughly a year, ending in 1571.
The castle’s name, Othello, links to the famous tragedy by William Shakespeare set in Cyprus. Although Shakespeare never visited the island, the story of Lieutenant Christopher Moro—an early 16th-century governor of Cyprus—served as inspiration for the play’s Venetian commander. This dramatic connection has led to the enduring association of the castle with the literary figure.
In the early 20th century, under British colonial administration, the castle’s surrounding moat was drained in 1900 to combat malaria, marking a significant alteration to its defensive landscape. More recently, restoration work began in 2014, culminating in the castle’s reopening as a museum the following year, preserving its historical legacy.
Remains
Othello Castle occupies a northeastern position within Famagusta near the city’s fortified walls and adjacent to the cargo port. The fortress features approximately 3.5 kilometers of defensive walls, constructed roughly four meters thick and rising about ten meters high. These walls originally enclosed the castle as part of a broader system of city defenses.
Central to the castle’s design are four fortified towers, which during the Lusignan era were square in shape. The Venetian renovation replaced these with round towers to better resist artillery attacks and to allow more effective defense. These towers connect internally through corridors, facilitating the swift movement of soldiers during combat.
The main gate of the castle bears a marble relief depicting the Lion of Saint Mark, the emblem of Venice. This carving includes an inscription noting the year 1492 and crediting Captain Niccolò Foscari for the restoration, directly linking the structure to Venetian rule.
Within the castle walls, one finds several rooms dating back to the Lusignan period, including a large kitchen, a small dining hall, and sleeping quarters, indicating the castle’s role as both a military and administrative center.
The courtyard is home to an extensive collection of cannons, some over four centuries old. These weapons include both bronze and iron types, with notable examples crafted in Turkey and Spain preserved on site. These artifacts attest to the castle’s long martial history and its role in artillery defense.
Overhead, the roof is distinguished by a large vaulted ceiling fashioned in the Gothic style, featuring elegant arches that reflect the architectural tastes of the medieval period.
Historically, the moat encircling the fortress was deep and water-filled, essential for its role in defense. Its drainage in 1900 marked a major change to the castle’s appearance and defensive capacity.
Today, the remaining structure stands as a museum dedicated to its military past, housing the original fortifications and the collection of historical artillery that illustrate the castle’s evolution through centuries of warfare.
