Kolossi Castle
Kolossi Castle is a former Crusader stronghold on the south-west edge of Kolossi village 14 kilometres west of the city of Limassol. Kolossi castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century. After the fall of Acre, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and in the 14th century came under the domain of the Knights Templar.

The Oldest Wine
During their stay in Cyprus, the Knights produced and exported a sweet wine, which became known as the ‘vin de Commanderie’. Today, Commandaria wine is one of the island’s traditional wines and according to the Guinness World Records, it is the oldest manufactured wine in the world. My hometown’s wine also holds the world record for the oldest “Appelation d’origine”.

The Kings
At the wedding of King Richard the Lionheart of England and Berengaria, the daughter of the King of Navarre, 1191 AD, in Limassol, Commandaria wine was served. And since then the King Richard the Lionheart declared Commandaria to be “the wine of kings and the king of wines”. Also the King Phillipe of France called Commandaria as “The Apostle of wines” or the “Pope, of wines”.

A famous poem by Henri d’ Andeli ‘The battle of the Wines’ says:
“‘The King who was noble and wine asked his messengers to bring him the best wines. First he asked for the wines of Cyprus. The King named the best wines and gave each one a prize. He called the wine of Cyprus the Apostle who shines like a true star”.

#travellingisaknowledge
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