Free entry to archaeological sites on International Day for Monuments and Sites

On April 18, International Day for Monuments and Sites, the public will be able to enter a number of archaeological sites and monuments in Cyprus for free, the Transport Ministry announced.

1. Archaeological site of Nea Paphos, “Mosaics”, Kato Paphos
2. Tombs of the Kings, Kato Paphos
3. Archaeological site of Palaipaphos, Kouklia
4. Archaeological site of Agios Georgios, Peyeias
5. Medieval Castle of Paphos
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

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 familiarise 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.