Larnaca has been inhabited since the 14th century B.C. It was founded by the Mycenaean-Achaeans Greeks. It was a small town initially; with a small fort being constructed near its harbour during the Byzantine rule. It is not clear when the Byzantine fort was first built but many resources and research carried around the castle suggest that initial construction started in late 12th century. The city gained importance during the medieval ages; after the Genovese occupied the main port of the country; Famagusta; and the need for a new port town emerged. Soon after Larnaca became one of the main ports of the Kingdom of Cyprus and the need of a castle protecting the city and the harbour emerged. Between the years 1382-1398 the small Byzantine fortification located near the harbour was upgraded to a more substantial castle. By the 18th century the castle started losing importance and was abandoned. In the first half of the 18th century, famous explorer, Abbot Giovanni Mariti, recorded that the castle was in a semi-ruined state; yet there was still garrison protecting it. The castle was subject to German occupation during World War I. The occupation lasted from 1914-1918 and the castle was used as a German military outpost. At the end of the war the castle was retaken by the British and was converted into a prison where gallows were installed to execute prisoners. The last execution took place in 1948. During the Cypriot civil war the castle was held by Greek Cypriots and was used as a war prison.
After the Cypriot independence the castle itself was converted into a museum, while the castle courtyard was converted into an open-air theatre, accommodating 200 people.
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