INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE HERITAGE WEEKEND - 22/23 AUGUST

 

21-08-2020 14:21

International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend – 22-23 August 2020

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)