Kolossi Castle
Built during the 13th century, this castle is most famous as the place where Richard the Lionhearted married Barengaria of Navarre, during the Third Crusade. The story is the stuff of chivalry: sailing from Sicily to Acre, the ship carrying Berengaria and Richard's sister was blown off coast, landing on Cyprus, where a Byzantine tyrant, Isaac Komnenos, took them hostage. Hearing this, Richard brought his fleet to the Cypriot port of Limassol, and demanded the return of his fiancee, sister and the treasure aboard the ship they were on. When Isaac refused, Richard dropped the hammer, invading the island, capturing Isaac, sweeping Berengaria off her feet, and marrying her at Kolossi. How's that for heroic?
A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capi... ... read more 
