Larnaca Fort and Medieval Museum, Larnaca (must see)

The Larnaca Fort and Medieval Museum is arguably the top tourist attraction in Larnaca. It was built by Lusignan King Iacov I in the 14th century on the grounds of a previously built 11th century fortress. The castle was destroyed, and then rebuilt from the ground up in 1625.

Once the castle was no longer used as fortification it was utilized as a police station and prison while under British rule. This continued through the mid-20th century. It served as the Larnaca District Museum in 1948, and then took its current role as a provincial museum in 1969.

The Medieval Museum is located on the second floor of the fort at the end of the Finikoudes. The three-room collection offers exhibits and artifacts from 4th through the 19th centuries. Among the exhibits, visitors will find Byzantine wall paintings, Medieval glazed pottery, Venetian helmets and swords and Ottoman cooking utensils.

The castle courtyard is now used as an open-air theatre during the summer season. Visitors to the courtyard will also see a collection of artillery that dates to the Middle Ages. A square tower sits on the east side of the castle under which there are tombstones dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

Larnaca Fort and Medieval Museum are open throughout the year. Winter hours are 8 AM through 5 PM while summer hours are 8 AM to 7:30 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays during winter and summer seasons the hours are abbreviated to 9:30 AM through 5 PM.