Sigouri Castle
| Sigouri Castle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Medieval |
| Country | de jure Cyprusde facto  Northern Cyprus |
| Construction started | 1391 |
Sigouri Castle(Greek:Κάστρο του Σιγουρίου, της ΣιγουρήςTurkish:Sigur Kalesi) was a medieval castle inCyprusof which there are no remains. Its location facilitated as a stopover for troops fromNicosia,the capital, on their way to the coastal harbours of eitherFamagustaorLarnaca.It isde factosituated inNorthern Cyprus.The castle was built in 1391 as a frontier fortress, after the Genoese conquest of Famagusta. It fell into disuse after the Venetian takeover of the island.
History
[edit]Sigouri is situated 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south ofPrastio.Of no significance today, the location was once a crossroads for travellers heading toFamagusta,Kyrenia,LimassolandLarnaka.Before the castle's construction the location served as the seat of the Archbishop ofNicosia. In 1191, Cyprus was taken byRichard the Lionheartduring his campaign against the island's rulerIsaac Komnenos of Cyprus.Richard subsequently sold the island to theKnights Templarwho in turn sold it toGuy of Lusignanof theHouse of Lusignanafter a revolt inNicosiadestroyed the Templar castle there. A period of peace ended with the death ofHugh I of Cyprusin 1218. Astruggleover who should act as the kingdom's regent ensued, pitting theHouse of Ibelinwith the local supporters ofFrederick II, Holy Roman Emperor.Frederick's arrival inLimassolin 1228 escalated the conflict into an open war. In 1373, Cyprus was invaded by theRepublic of Genoawhich established a colony centered at Famagusta and imprisoned much of the Lusignan nobility.[1][2]
According toPhilip of Novara's chronicle, prince John of Antioch managed to escape from Famagusta after disguising himself as thevaletof his cook. John subsequently fled to theKantara Castle,from which he organized a successful counteroffensive which expelled the Genoese from much of the island after the latter failed to capture Kantara. The loss of Famagusta increased Sigouri's importance, as both as a trading hub and an outpost guarding the Lusignans from Genoese raids. Upon his return to his homeland in 1385,James I of Cyprusfocused on improving the kingdom's fortifications. In 1391, he established a fortified base at Sigouri. Kantara, Sigouri, La Cava and Nicosia formed a protective axis against potential Genoese invasion of the inland. In September 1460,James II of Cyprustook the castle as his first military objective in his invasion of the island. Shortly afterwards he retook Famagusta, again diminishing Sigouri's importance. In the 14th century, the castle fell into disuse and was partially demolished when the island came under the control of theRepublic of Venice.[3][2]
Architecture
[edit]Next to nothing remains of the castle today, thus information on the castle's features is drawn from medieval chronicles. Sigouri was located on an earthen platform 3 metres (9.8 ft) above ground level. It had four square corner towers, the towers had barrel vaulted basements, one of which housed a cistern. It had a simple design reminiscent of 12th century castrum style fortifications, with a drawbridge equipped gateway. It was surrounded by 35 metres (115 ft) wide ditches filled with water from the nearbyPedieosriver which likely dried down during the summer season. Sigouri occasionally served as an arms depot.[3]
Footnotes
[edit]- ^Molin 1995,pp. 18–28.
- ^abMorelle 2014,pp. 298–300.
- ^abPetre 2010,pp. 390–393.
References
[edit]- Molin, Bengt Kristian (1995).The Role of Castles in the Political and Military History of Crusader States and the Levant 1187 to 1380(PhD). Leeds University.
- Morelle, Nicolas (2014)."The Castle of Kantara - a key to the evolution of active defense in the 13th century between the Eastern and the Western Worlds".The Castle Studies Group Journal.Castle Studies Group: 292–318.
- Petre, James (2010).Crusader Castles of Cyprus: The Fortifications of Cyprus Under the Lusignans 1191– 1489(PhD). University of Cardiff.
