Legendary fortress Castello, located on the Northern part of the city fortifications, created during the times of the Venetians, is considered one of the most popular sights of Famagusta. It was built to protect the harbour from attack from the sea. Before the citadel was surrounded by a deep moat filled with water, but in the nineteenth century it had to be dry to prevent the spread of malaria.

The fortress itself is a large quadrangular building, every corner of which rises a powerful round tower.

It is one of the towers and made this place world famous. It's called "Othello" and was named in honor of well-known character of the eponymous play by Shakespeare. It is believed that the plot of this work has been partially taken from the life of a Venetian captain Christopher Moreau – in Italian the word "Moro" means "the moor". He commanded Cypriot troops with 1505 through 1508, he was then murdered and his wife Desdemona. According to the legend, fell in love with her one Lieutenant, but she did not accept his advances. The rejected man slandered Desdemona, causing a jealous husband ordered her death. Though technically a murderer was not unhappy Moreau, however, the crime was blamed him, then stripped of all titles. And treacherous Lieutenant got to his post.

But in General, the citadel no less interesting than Othello's tower. Above the entrance to the fortress is the image of a winged lion – the symbol of the Venetian Republic. After passing through this archway, you can get into a large courtyard, where there are still old bronze cannons and stone core catapults. Inside the building visitors can also take a walk along dark corridors, and I advise you to have a flashlight to have a good look at everything.