Saranda Kolones

Saranta Koones is a Byzantine castle located at the north side of the Paphos harbor. Visitors can find it within the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. Saranta Kolones is translated in English as Forty Columns and it takes its name from the number of the granite columns found on the site. Archaeologists believe that the columns were probably part of the ancient Agora.

The Byzantine castle is estimated that is has been built during the late 7th century A.D. in order to protect the Paphos port as well as the city from the invations and raids by the Arabs and the Lusignans.

Around the castle there is a wall as three meters thick with eight towers and around the wall there is a moat. At the east side a wooden bridge was used to provide access above the moat and lead to the main entrnace through a tower shaped like a horseshoe. Inside the wall there is a 35 meters long square courtyard that features a tower at each of the corners.

An earthquake in 1223 cased severe destroying damages to the castle and as a result it was abandoned. Today the castle belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List and it attracts numerous visitors each year.

Open Daily:

Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00 November - March

08:00 - 18:30 April - May, September - October

08:00 - 19:30 July - August

Entrance: 3.40 Euro (for all the sites of the Archaeological Park)