Othello Castle

This castle is a defensive fortification, built by the Lusignans in the 13th century. This outstanding monument was reinforced and expanded in 16th century by the Venetians. Bearing in mind a legend, this castle was the place where Cristoforo Moro, a Venetian official in Cyprus, killed his stunning but disloyal wife Desdemona. Shakespeare was inspired by this legend, which drove him to write his play Othello.

Othello Castle was used to be called "impassable fortress" because of the fact it was almost impossible to attack it, due to the deep ditches surrounding it. (Kambas, 2014). When Cyprus passed to the hands of the Republic of Venice, some modifications were occurred on the castle, for example the square towers were substituted with circular ones. A distinguishing feature of the castle is the repousse the Lion of St Mark, which was carved above the castle's entrance. The modifications of the castle were directed by the Captain Nicolo Foscari, whose name is also inscribed near the relief. (Dreghorn, 1985).

The politics separating the island for decades, had made the citadel to deteriorate. However, some Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders co-operated in 2008 forming the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and identifying about 2,800 culturally significant sites across the island to being restored. Othello Castle was one of these historical sites, which had been decided to undergo emergency stabilisation. The restoration project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. The tower reopened to visitors in the summer of 2015, with the Othello’s performance by actors from both sides of the divided island. (Ganon, 2015).

Othello and Desdemona on the wall of the tower, during the performance by Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots actors. (Photo: Courtesy United Nations Development Programme Partnership for the Future).

A distinguishing feature of the castle is the repousse the Lion of St Mark, which was carved above the castle's entrance.

Bibliography Dreghorn, W. (1985). Famagusta and Salamis Guide Book, K. Rustem & Bro. publishers, London.

Ganon, M. (2015). The Real Life Tragedy Behind Othello’s Tower. Retrieved on 5th of March from: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-real-life-tragedy-behind-othello-s-tower

Kambas, M. (2014). Shakespeare’s Othello Tower in Famagusta gets new lease of life. Cyprus Mail Newspaper. Retrieved on 8th of March 2018 from: http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/07/05/shakespeares-othello-tower-in-famagusta-gets-new-lease-of-life/