UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cyprus
Cyprus has 3 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3 cultural), the first inscribed in 1980 (Paphos). The map below plots every one of them alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 3
- Cultural
- 3
- Natural and Mixed
- 0
- First Inscribed
- 1980
Map of World Heritage Sites in Cyprus
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Cyprus. Click a dot to read about the site.
Paphos
Cyprus · 34.7583° N, 32.4056° E · 2 km² · 2 km from Paphos
Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.
Description from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Why Paphos Is Listed
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
- (vi)
- A direct association with events, ideas or beliefs of universal significance.
Painted Churches in the Troödos Region
Cyprus · 34.9203° N, 33.0958° E · 28 km from Lemosos
The Painted Churches in the Troödos Region (Greek: Τοιχογραφημένοι ναοί στην περιοχή του όρους Τρόοδος, romanized: Toichografiménoi naoí stin periochí tou órous Tróodos) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Troödos Mountains of central Cyprus. The complex comprises ten Byzantine churches and monasteries richly decorated with Byzantine and post-Byzantine murals:
Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) tis Stegis in Kakopetria: An 11th-century monastery and the oldest surviving katholikon in Cyprus
Adapted from Wikipedia: Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Painted Churches in the Troödos Region Is Listed
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
- (iv)
- An outstanding example of a type of building or landscape.
More about Painted Churches in the Troödos Region
UNESCO's Description
This region is characterized by one of the largest groups of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. The complex of 10 monuments included on the World Heritage List, all richly decorated with murals, provides an overview of Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting in Cyprus. They range from small churches whose rural architectural style is in stark contrast to their highly refined decoration, to monasteries such as that of St John Lampadistis.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Description
In 965 AD, Cyprus was annexed by the Byzantine Empire in the Arab-Byzantine wars. Over a period of 500 years until the 16th century, many Byzantine churches were constructed in the Troödos Region. In fact, this regions holds one of the greatest concentrations of monasteries and churches in the former Byzantine Empire. The World Heritage Site includes a variety of churches, ranging from small chapels to grand monasteries. These site demonstrate the range of architectural and artistic influences affecting Cyprus over the entire Byzantine reign. However, all sites display some architectural elements that are unique to Cyprus, including steep-pitched wooden roofs with tiling.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Khirokitia
Cyprus · 34.7967° N, 33.3437° E · 30 km from Larnaka
Khirokitia (sometimes spelled Choirokoitia; Greek: Χοιροκοιτία [çiɾociˈti.a], suggested meaning Pig-cradle, from χοίρος 'pig, boar' + κοιτίς 'place of origin, cradle') is an archaeological site on the island of Cyprus dating from the Neolithic age. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1998. The site is known as one of the most important and best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean. Much of its importance lies in the evidence of an organised functional society in the form of a collective settlement, with surrounding fortifications for communal protection. The Neolithic aceramic period is represented by this settlement and around 20 other similar settlements spread throughout the island.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Khirokitia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Why Khirokitia Is Listed
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
- (iv)
- An outstanding example of a type of building or landscape.
More about Khirokitia
UNESCO's Description
The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennium B.C., is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Its remains and the finds from the excavations there have thrown much light on the evolution of human society in this key region. Since only part of the site has been excavated, it forms an exceptional archaeological reserve for future study.
From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
World Heritage in Cyprus: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Cyprus?
- Cyprus has 3 World Heritage Sites: 3 cultural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Cyprus?
- Paphos, inscribed in 1980. The most recent is Khirokitia, inscribed in 1998.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Cyprus in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Cyprus is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.