| Othello Castle | |
|---|---|
| Part of theFortifications of Famagusta | |
| Famagusta,Northern Cyprus | |
 Othello Castle | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Condition | Intact |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 35°7′39.7″N33°56′35.7″E / 35.127694°N 33.943250°E /35.127694; 33.943250 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 14th century late 15th century (modifications) |
| Built by | Kingdom of Cyprus Republic of Venice (modifications) |
| Materials | Sandstone |
Othello Castle (Greek:Πύργος του Oθέλλου,Turkish:Othello Kalesi), also known asOthello's Tower, is acastle inFamagusta,Northern Cyprus. It was built by theLusignans in the 14th century, and was later modified by theVenetians. The modern name of the castle comes from astage note inShakespeare's playOthello.[1][2]
Othello Castle was built in the 14th century by theLusignans (who ruled theKingdom of Cyprus) to protect the port against possible enemy attacks. It was also used as the main entrance to Famagusta. It used to be called "impenetrable fortress" due to it being nearly impossible to attack because of very deep ditches surrounding it.
After Cyprus was sold to theRepublic of Venice, the castle's square towers were replaced with circular ones to suit more modern artillery. After these modifications, a relief of theLion of St Mark was engraved above the castle's main entrance. The name of Captain Nicolo Foscari, who directed the alterations to the castle, and the date 1492 are inscribed near the relief.ApparentlyLeonardo da Vinci advised the refurbishment in 1481.[1]The castle gets its name fromShakespeare's famous playOthello, which is set in a harbour town in Cyprus.[3]
In 1900, the castle's ditch was drained of water to reduce the risk ofmalaria.[4]
The castle began to be restored in 2014,[5] and it reopened to the public on 3 July 2015.[6]
The castle contains four circulartowers. It contains a refectory and a dormitory, which were constructed during the Lusignan period. The castle's yard contains cannonballs left behind by the Spaniards and Ottomans, relics of its turbulent history.[3]
The tower's name stems from a vague link [...] which has a modest stage note referring to 'a seaport in Cyprus'.The note is inOthello, act 2, scene 1.
Notes
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