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21-08-2020 14:21 |
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International
Lighthouse Heritage Weekend – 22-23 August 2020 |
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This year’s International Lighthouse Day, which was established to raise awareness concerning the significance of the lighthouses, the lighthouse keepers and navigation, acquires a new meaning, as the Covid-19 pandemic imposed the cessation and limitation of connections among countries and people for the first time. This recent situation, however, at the same time demonstrated the importance of inter-cultural connections, established through the ages, predominantly via the sea. For this reason, as well as because this year’s International Lighthouse Day coincided with other celebrations for historical events, it was decided that it will instead be celebrated as an International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend, on 22 and 23 August 2020. On this occasion, the
Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works,
would like to remind all citizens of the importance of the Lighthouse
situated within the archaeological site of Pafos, the building complex of
which (“houses of the lighthouse keeper”), together with the surrounding
area, were restored by the Department of Antiquities in 2017. Furthermore, a
permanent exhibition, entitled “Cyprus, the sea and the lighthouses: a
diachronic history”, was created and installed in these houses. Through this
very important project, which was envisioned and implemented solely by the
Department of Antiquities, a central part of our maritime history, that of
the lighthouse heritage, is being highlighted for the first time, as the Pafos
Lighthouse comprises the only Lighthouse complex that has to date been
conserved, restored and presented in Cyprus. The preservation and upgrading
of the area of the Lighthouse of Pafos, also resulted in the creation o f one
of the most popular and picturesque landmarks, which attracts visitors from
throughout the island. Most importantly, through its international promotion,
it transfers the significance of the cultural heritage of Cyprus across the
globe. Moreover, the fact that this
lighthouse is located within a UNESCO World Heritage site, that of Nea Pafos
which is also part of the NATURA 2000 network because of its unique natural
environment, makes it even more special. The association of the lighthouse
with the archaeological site of Pafos becomes more intriguing, when one
considers the fact that the city of Nea Pafos was established in the
Hellenistic period in order to replace Palaia Pafos (archaeological site of
Palaipafos), due to the direct access its port offered to the sea. The Lighthouse of Pafos, the
management of which is under the authority of the Cyprus Ports’ Authority,
was constructed at the beginning of British rule, following the type of a
tower with circular section, the lighting mechanism being at the balcony. The
Lighthouse comprises a single building complex together with the houses of
the lighthouse keeper, who lived in very difficult conditions in order to
secure the protection and safety of sailors. Other lighthouses along the
coastline of Cyprus, also constructed under British rule, are those of Cape
Greco in Agia Napa, Cape Kiti in Larnaka, Cape Gata at Akrotiri, Keryneia,
Karpasia (at Kleides) and Kormakiti, while the one at the Akamas peninsula is
the most recent. The lighthouses, together with
the harbours, the anchorages, the shipwrecks, the anchors, the amphorae, and
the graffiti and other representations of ships, dating to different periods,
are all part of the maritime tradition and maritime cultural heritage of
Cyprus. Building on its significance, the Department of Antiquities invites
all citizens to visit the Lighthouse in the archaeological site of Pafos
during the International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend, so as to get to know
and enjoy our cultural heritage, our island traditions and the natural
landscape surrounding all the monuments of this unique World Heritage site. Finally, the Department of
Antiquities wishes to inform all citizens once more, that all measures and
protocols of the Ministry of Health for safety and protection from Covid-19
are being applied to all archaeological sites, monuments and museums. Let’s
take the opportunity provided by the unusual conditions imposed by the
pandemic, and the summer vacation, to visit and get familiar with our
cultural heritage; especially in our days, it is crucial that we, and mainly
our children, become aware of the authenticity of the diachronic values that
our archaeological heritage represents. (EK/SCH) |
