Ancient CyprusAncient Cyprus

Fortifications · Ancient Monument

The Citadel

Famagusta · In the area occupied by Turkey since 1974

The Citadel: a fortification in Famagusta, in the area occupied by Turkey since 1974. Declared an Ancient Monument in 1914. 3 dated records of work on it, 1951 to 1955, with sources.

SalamisEnkomi

Famagusta District, about 35°07′ N, 33°56′ E

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On the ancient site of Famagusta-Citadel. Approximate location. Open in the map →

Protection

Antiquities Law
  1. 30 June 1914

    Declared an Ancient Monument, No. 12432

    “The Citadel, Famagusta”

    The Cyprus Gazette No. 1243 of 3 July 1914 (Notice No. 12432), p. 8580, PDF p. 202 Online

  2. 10 May 1935

    Scheduled in 1935, First Schedule, Famagusta item 12

    “The Citadel”

    Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], First Schedule, District of Famagusta, item 12, p. 326, PDF p. 346 Online

What was done when

3 records
  1. 1951

    The citadel received attention from the Department of Antiquities.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “In Famagusta the citadel and the church of St. Anne received attention”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 57

  2. 1954

    A custodian's office was built at the Citadel.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “a custodian's office constructed at the Citadel”

    Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127

  3. 1955

    Staircases were built at the Citadel to improve facilities for visitors.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “by the construction of staircases at the Citadel and in the Ravelin”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1955 (London: HMSO, 1956), p. 79

In the literature

4
  1. Undated

    Built under Frankish rule; said to have inspired Shakespeare's tragedy Othello.

    As printed

    “58. 'Othello's Tower'in the castle at Famagusta. Built under Frankish rule.”

    Anon., "Stamps with Themes Taken from the Occupied Area of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 22, no. 2-3 (May–December 1984), pp. 19–26, p. 24.

  2. Undated

    Citadel of Lusignan times, better known as Othello Tower; commands a view of the harbour; bears a large marble lion of St. Mark on a bastion.

    As printed

    “The Citadel, better known as Othello Tower, bears on one of its bastions a large marble lion of St. Mark.”

    F.S.M., "Famagusta", Cyprus Today vol. 3, no. 5-6 (September–December 1965), pp. 6–7, p. 6.

  3. Undated

    Medieval monument in Famagusta, among the most important medieval monuments.

    As printed

    “Othello Tower and the stately Gothic cathedral of St. Nicholas are among the most”

    D. CHRISTOU, "Cypriote Antiquities in Turkish Occupied Areas", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 3-4 (May–August 1974), pp. 46–51, p. 49.

  4. Undated

    Part of the fortifications of Famagusta; shell of the tower dates to the medieval period; courtyard used for Shakespearean performances.

    As printed

    “The Othello Tower forms part of the imposing fortifications of Famagusta, on the East coast of Cyprus. The shell of the tower dates to the medieval period.”

    Anon., "Cyprus Commemorative Stamps", Cyprus Today vol. 2, no. 5 (September–October 1964), pp. 23–24, p. 24.

Pictures

5

In our archive · 3

Costas and Rita Severis Foundation2 paintings1926–1938
  • painting, 1926
  • painting, 1938

Sources

  1. 1.Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], First Schedule, District of Famagusta, item 12, p. 326, PDF p. 346 Online
  2. 2.The Cyprus Gazette No. 1243 of 3 July 1914 (Notice No. 12432), p. 8580, PDF p. 202 Online
  3. 3.Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, Nicosia, online catalogue: pht_00766, “Entrance to the Othello tower, Famagusta”, ca. 1918, ; pht_08746, “Othello Tower”, 20th century, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/othello-tower/30798/; pht_12105, “Othello Tower”, 20th century, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/othello-tower-2/30980/; and 9 more records Online
  4. 4.Claude Delaval Cobham, Excerpta Cypria: Materials for a History of Cyprus (1908), scan p. 124
  5. 5.Anon., "Cyprus Commemorative Stamps", Cyprus Today vol. 2, no. 5 (September–October 1964), pp. 23–24, p. 24.
  6. 6.D. CHRISTOU, "Cypriote Antiquities in Turkish Occupied Areas", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 3-4 (May–August 1974), pp. 46–51, p. 49.
  7. 7.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1951 (London: HMSO, 1952), p. 57
  8. 8.F.S.M., "Famagusta", Cyprus Today vol. 3, no. 5-6 (September–December 1965), pp. 6–7, p. 6.
  9. 9.Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127
  10. 10.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1955 (London: HMSO, 1956), p. 79
  11. 11.Anon., "Stamps with Themes Taken from the Occupied Area of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 22, no. 2-3 (May–December 1984), pp. 19–26, p. 24.

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