Phase 2

[Closed] Support to Monuments of Great Importance for the Communities of Cyprus

Status:Closed
Duration:2013 - 2017
Donors:European Commission, Honor Frost Foundation
Coverage:Island-wide
Beneficiaries:Turkish Cypriot Community and Greek Cypriot Community
Focus Area:Governance and Peacebuilding
Partners:Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.

 

Project Summary:

The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island, and that it is important for these monuments to be preserved, not only because they are important symbols for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, as well as for humanity, but also because they have an intrinsic value of their own.” (Press statement of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, 06 May 2009).

The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee is supported in its work by an Advisory Board composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities. All its programmatic decisions are taken in line with the agreed principles and the task attributed to them by the two Leaders.

The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee believes that the protection of cultural heritage is an integral part of the ongoing process of broadening areas of cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which can most effectively be achieved through joint efforts. The protection of cultural heritage also stimulates sustainable development and mutual understanding.

An initial list of 40 sites in need of emergency care and conservation was approved by the Leaders. Additional monuments of great historical value or notable size have been added to this list. Particular attention was given to the archaeological importance of the monuments, reflecting their uniqueness, historical significance and role in society as well as their future educational role.

Objectives

  • To support the reconciliation process and to increase the trust between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities through the implementation of confidence building measures agreed by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH). 

  • Preservation of Cypriot cultural heritage by supporting restoration and emergency measures for high importance monuments agreed by the Technical Committee on Culture in Cyprus. 

Implementing Partners:

Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has assisted the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to preserve the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

UNDP directly implements and administers the Committee's conservation works and visibility efforts, hence creating a favourable environment for the non-political consideration of cultural heritage on both sides of the island.

Joint monitoring visits and regular meetings with the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee are facilitated by UNDP to encourage and ensure the direct involvement in each stage of the project cycle. The direct involvement of technical teams from both communities (architects, archaeologists, engineers etc.) act, in time, as team- and confidence-building measures, allowing for increased exchange of experiences and the setting of a positive example of successful collaboration between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. 
Moreover, UNDP provides logistical and strategic support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in its efforts to re-establish community links between villages and their former residents and encourage cross-community exchanges.
 

Results

Within Phase 2 of the project, the following cultural heritage sites located island-wide benefited from emergency measures and/or conservation projects and designs:

Designs for future conservation projects were prepared for the following sites

Ravelin (Land Gate) in Famagusta – (partially completed)

Martinengo Bastion in Famagusta

Famagusta Walls between Arsenal and Sea Gate

The improvement of the exhibition room of the Kyrenia shipwreck at the Kyrenia Castle

Agios Panteleimonas Monastery in Çamlıbel/ Myrtou

Millhouse/ Aqueduct in Chrysochou/ Hirsofu

Conservation works conducted on

Agios Nicolaos Church in Syrianochori/ Siryanohoro/ Yayla

Mosques in Evretou/ Evretu

Mosque in Tserkezoi/ Çerkez

Agios Afksentios Church in Buyukkonuk/ Komi

Millhouse/ Aqueduct in Chrysochou/ Hirsofu

Old St. George Church in Kormakitis/ Kormacit/ Korucam

Agios Panteleimonas Monastery in Çamlıbel/ Myrtou

Ravelin (Land Gate) in Famagusta

Impact

START DATE

September 2013

END DATE

December 2017

STATUS

Completed

PROJECT OFFICE

Cyprus

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

United Nations Development Programme

DONORS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Honor Frost Foundation

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$2,664,424

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2013$110,972

2014$1,094,254

2015$420,852

2016$584,134

2017$339,379

2018$1,151

Full Project information