The legendary fortress Castello is located on the northern part of the city fortifications, created in the days of the Venetians, is considered one of the most popular attractions of Famagusta. It was built specifically to protect the harbor against attacks from the sea. Previously, the citadel surrounded by a deep ditch filled with water, but in the XIX century it had to be drained to prevent the spread of malaria.

The fortress itself is a large rectangular building, every corner of which rises a powerful round tower.

It is one of the towers and made this place world famous. It's called "Othello" and was named in honor of the well-known character in Shakespeare's play of the same name. It is believed that the plot of this work was partly taken from the life of the Venetian commander Christopher Moreau - the Italian word "Moro" means "the Moor". He commanded the troops of Cyprus from 1505 to 1508, but then was killed and his wife Desdemona. According to legend, in love with her one lieutenant, but she did not accept his advances. Then the man defamed Desdemona rejected, because of what a jealous husband ordered to kill her. Though technically a murderer was not unhappy Moreau, but the crime charged was his, and then stripped of all ranks. A treacherous lieutenant got his post.

But in general, the citadel is no less interesting than a single tower of Othello. Above the entrance to the fortress is the image of a winged lion - the symbol of the Venetian Republic. After going through this arch, you can get into a large courtyard, where there are still old bronze cannons and catapults stone core. Inside the building offer tourists to walk through the long dark corridors, and are advised to bring a flashlight to get a good look at everything.