List of World Heritage Sites in Cyprus

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World Heritage Sites in Cyprus
Panagia tou Araka

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.[2] The Republic of Cyprus accepted the convention on 14 August 1975, making its sites eligible for inclusion on the list.[3]

As of 2021, there are three World Heritage Sites in Cyprus, all of which are cultural sites. The first site to be listed was Paphos in 1980. In 1985, the Painted Churches in the Troodos Region were listed. The original nomination included nine churches, an additional one was added to the site in 2001. The most recent site added to the list was Choirokoitia in 1998 (with a minor boundary modification taking place in 2012).[3] In 2010, all three sites in Cyprus were given enhanced protection status by the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.[4] In addition, Cyprus also maintains eleven properties on its tentative list, six of which are associated with the Troodos Ophiolite.[3]

  1. ^ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Cyprus". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Four World Heritage sites in Cyprus and Italy granted "enhanced protection" in the event of armed conflict". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2020.