The castle was of great strategic importance for the administration of southern Cyprus and also served as a warehouse for sugar, one of Cyprus's most important exports in the Middle Ages. The original castle was probably built by Frankish troops in 1210. The land was ceded to the Knights of St. John by King Hugh III. From 1306 to 1310, the Templars owned the castle under the usurped rule of Amalric, before it reverted to the Knights of St. John. The present castle was built in 1454 by the Knights of St. John under Grand Commander Louis de Magnac. Today, only the keep and the former sugar mill, as well as parts of the surrounding walls, remain of the castle (Wikipedia).