Saranta Kolones

Saranta Kolones is a ruined medieval fortress on the headland at Paphos, Cyprus, within the Paphos Archaeological Park. Its name means “Forty Columns” and it is a prominent visible remnant of the town’s medieval fortifications.

The site consists of surviving sections of curtain wall and tower foundations that stand on the small rocky promontory beside the harbour. The compact ruins are easy to walk around and offer direct views over the sea and the adjacent archaeological remains of the Roman-period town.

The structure dates to the medieval period and reflects the island’s Byzantine and later Frankish-Lusignan defensive works. The fortress was damaged and partly ruined by seismic events and coastal erosion over the centuries and now survives only as low walls and foundations.

The fortress sits on the western coast of Cyprus at Paphos harbour, immediately adjacent to the modern port area and within walking distance of the town’s central archaeological sites and amenities.

• Access: Located inside the Paphos Archaeological Park close to the harbour, making it easy to combine with the site's Roman mosaics and other ruins.
• Best time to visit: Good late-afternoon light and sea views from the headland make the ruined walls a popular spot for photographs.