Press Releases

 “Rural Landscapes”, this year’s theme

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announces that ICOMOS Cyprus and the Department of Antiquities with the support of National Commission for UNESCO are co-organizing an event entitled “The Drywall Rural Landscape”, as part of the celebrations of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which will take place at the village of Omodos. The event will be held at the Monastery of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros Monastery) at Omodos on Thursday 18 April 2019 at 16:00.

In 1983, UNESCO adopted 18 April as the International Day for Monuments and Sites after it was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Since then, 18 April has been celebrated every year with events, with the intent to raise public awareness on cultural heritage, encouraging the communities to participate in various activities in order to familiarize and appreciate their own cultural heritage, in all of its aspects. 

Every year, within this framework, a different theme is promoted and celebrated, with this year theme entitled “Rural Landscapes” in hopes of raising public awareness and to protect the Rural Landscape. This year’s International Day for Monuments and Sites offers the opportunity for people to celebrate and appreciate the Cypriot Rural Cultural Landscape. On this day, ICOMOS offers the opportunity for National and International Scientific Committees to encourage and raise awareness to local communities and individuals on the importance of rural landscapes and how they aided in influencing and shaping the local character of communities. The Art of Drystone Walling was chosen this year to be promoted as it is inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

The Art of Drystone Walling, knowledge and techniques is inextricably linked with our anthropogenic landscape and with the traditional organization of the productive space used by the rural communities and also with the unique character of each area. Dry stone structures constitute a universal symbol and also exemplify the harmonious relationship between human beings and nature.

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announces that as part of the celebrations of the International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April 2019, will permit free entrance to the following archaeological sites and ancient monuments:

1. Archaeological site of Nea Pafos, “Mosaics”, Kato Pafos

2. Tombs of the Kings, Kato Pafos

3. Archaeological site of Palaipafos, Kouklia

4. Archaeological site of Agios Georgios, Pegeias

5. Medieval Castle of Pafos

6. Archaeological site of Kourion, Episkopi

7. The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates at Kourion, Episkopi

8. The Kolossi Medieval Castle, Kolossi

9. The Archaeological site of Amathous, Agios Tychonas

10. The Archaeological site of Kition, Larnaka

11.  The Neolithic Archaeological site of Choirokoitia

12. The Neolithic site of Kalavasos Tenta

13. The Royal Chapel of Agia Aikaterini (Saint Catherine) at Pyrga

14. The Archaeological site and royal tombs of ancient Tamassos at Poliko

The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Ms Vassiliki Anastassiadou. 

(MG)