| Kolossi Κολόσσι |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Limassol District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Loukas Demetriou |
| Elevation | 50 m (164 ft) |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 13,685 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 4632 |
| Website | http://www.kolossi.org |
Kolossi (Greek: Κολόσσι) is a village on the outskirts of the city of Limassol, Cyprus, and also lying partly in the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. It is built close to the imposing castle which bears the settlement's name. Its population in 2001 was around 4,000 inhabitants.
The Kolossi Castle is a stronghold a few kilometers outside the city of Limassol on the island of Cyprus. It held a great strategic importance and contained production of sugar, one of Cyprus' main exports in the Middle Ages. The original castle was possibly built in 1210 by Frankish military when the land of Kolossi was given by King Hugh I to the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (Hospitallers) (see also Commandaria), and the present castle was built in 1454 by the Hospitallers. Besides the Hospitallers, other dwellers in the castle include Richard the Lionhearted, and the Templars.The castle can be found 11 km from Limassol and is one of the most important medieval archaeological monuments. The stunning signature of the castle informs that the castle was in RIGAS KIPRU hands and that no one could own defensive castles or weapons. In the 14 century the castle was used as a sugar apothecary.