By the harbour stands Paphos Castle , originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour . It was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century , dismantled in 1570 by the Venetians who were unable to defend it against the Ottomans , who in their turn restored and strengthened it after capturing the island . Saranta Kolones , Kato Paphos , near the harbour , is a castle built in the first years of Lusignan rule ( beginning of the 12th century ) maybe on the site of a previous Byzantine castle . It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1222
earthquake of 1222
1222 Cyprus earthquake
Paphos