Castle of Forty columns, located near Paphos is one of the numerous fortified castles of Cyprus, which were created for the defense of territories from Arab raids. Previously it was thought that this castle was built in the XIII century, however, archaeological excavations of recent years indicate that the fortress at this place appeared in the VII century by the Byzantines, but later, in the early thirteenth century, when at the head of the Cypriot kingdoms was guy de Lusignan, the castle was completely rebuilt. However, in 1222, the building was almost completely destroyed due to the earthquake.

The name of the fortress was due to the large number of granite columns which supported the vault of the castle. Presumably, all the columns were specially brought from the Greek city of Agora. Originally the castle was surrounded by a massive wall, the thickness of which was about three meters in front of it traditionally was dug and filled with water deep ditch. Also the castle was protected by eight fortified towers. On the territory of the fortress was accessible only by a wooden lifting bridge. The square courtyard was quite small – only 35 square meters.

Although now from the castle of Forty columns left almost nothing but ruins, it is one of the greatest archaeological treasures not only of Cyprus but all over the world. There is still possible to admire the columns, miraculously preserved remains of towers, spiral staircases, gloomy dungeons and cellars, which once housed a blacksmith shop, a bathhouse, a mill and even stable.