The Castle of Sigri
The castle is actually a Turkish fort which was built back in the Ottoman occupation of the island. It's main walls stand proud on the edge of the bay of Sigri and whilst inside there is little to see, it really is worth a visit. the battlements are in tact and you can climb up to the top of them to enjoy the most wonderful views of the village, beach and bay.
Sigri Castle was built by the Turks in 1757 in order to protect the port of Sigri (back then the most important port for the transportation trade) from piracy. Throughout the Turkish occupation the castle constituted a central site of the country town, around which the settlement developed in the area protected by the castle.
It is of small dimensions, square-like in its ground plan with square towers in its four corners. The central gate in the east closed with a double door covered with iron plates propped up by freckles. It is ornamented with a sharpened point arch -sample of typical Arabic architecture- constructed with alternate red and white stones. In the inner part of the fortress, the arched lintels (built by stones or bricks) of the cells that were used for the accommodation of the permanent guard are of similar inspiration. The castle is open all year and the etrance is free of charge.
