World Heritage Sites in Cyprus

Cyprus presents a rich historical past. To find architectural treasures, timeless antiquities and time-honored traditions in Cyprus is not unusual. It is also home to a few World Heritage Sites that are remarkable for their historic importance, architectural beauty and cultural tradition.

Paphos 

Paphos, an island town of Cyprus, is legendry throughout the world as the birthplace of the mythological Greek Goddess, Aphrodite. The town derives its name from Paphos, the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. The legend of Aphrodite became popular even in the neighboring countries and lasted for several centuries.

Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period. It was the base for the cult of Aphrodite and pre-Hellenic fertility deities. The Myceneaens built a temple dedicate to Aphrodite in the 12^th century BC. The remnants of the villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs suggest that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value particularly the mosaics of Nea Paphos, which are among the most beautiful in the world.

It became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great - the Ptolemies. It was a busy harbor and thriving port during those days. It remained as the island's first city for more than seven centuries, retaining its importance under Romans as well. Governor Sergius Paulus, the most famous Governor of Paphos, converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD.

Paphos was included in the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1980 under the criteria (iii) and (vi). These criteria stand for:

(iii) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

(vi) to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history

Painted Churches in the Troodos Region 

Painted Churches in the Troodos Region comprises of nine churches and monasteries that reflects typical Byzantine architecture and paintings. The churches and monasteries are, namely, Stavros tou Ayiasmati, Panayia tou Araka, Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri, Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panayia Podithou, Assinou, Ayios loannis Lampadistis, Panayia tou Moutoula, and Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas. All the monuments are beautifully embellished with antiquated and vibrant frescoes and some date back to even 11^th century AD.

The most conspicuous feature of some of the churches is that they are two buildings in one. The churches from inside have Byzantine elements but the exterior looks like a stable or a farm. The extra layer was constructed to protect the building from heavy snowfall.

Painted Churches in the Troodos Region were included in the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1985 under the criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv). These criteria stand for:

(ii) to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design

(iii) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

(iv) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

Choirokoitia 

Choirokoitia, also known as Khirokitia, is one of the most important pre-historical sites in the eastern Mediterranean region and earliest known culture in Cyprus. It is only partially recovered with excavation work still in progress. Human life in Choirokoitia had begun around 7000 BC in the Neolithic Age. The archaeological findings from this site have helped in revealing the evolution of the human beings in this region. The site was probably inhabited by 300 people who practiced had a small life span of around 35 years.  

This culture was well organized and a developed society and their main economic activity included farming, hunting and herding. According to the excavations, the domesticated animals were deer, sheep, goats and pigs. One of their most remarkable customs was to bury their dead under the floors of the houses of the living relatives probably to ensure that the dead remained close to the living.

This, the earliest known culture in Cyprus, consisted of a well-organized, developed society mainly engaged in farming, hunting and herding. Farming was mainly of cereal crops. They also picked the fruit of trees growing wild in the surrounding area such as pistachio nuts, figs, olives and prunes. The four main species of animals whose remains were found on the site were deer, sheep, goats and pigs. The site was suddenly abandoned for reasons unknown at around 6000 BC. It remained uninhabited for about 1500 years until the Sotira group settled there.

Choirokoitia were included in the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1988 under the criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv). These criteria stand for:

(ii) to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design

(iii) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

(iv) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

By: Shuchita Bist

GOWEALTHY.COM © 2006

For comments: editor@gowealthy.com

Source: whc.unesco.org