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State of Conservation (SOC)

Paphos (2004)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1981-1997)
Total Amount Ap proved: 95,913USD

1997   Visitor Centre at Paphos (NOT IMPLEMENTED)   12,187  USD
1989   Equipment for the restoration of Paphos monuments   20,000  USD
1983   Purchase of equipment to clean mosaics and murals in Palaepaphos ...   7,000  USD
1981   Expert service (7 months) and scholarship (11 months) in ...   54,000  USD
1981   Provision of one expert to assist in preparing a master plan for ...   2,726  USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

On 11 March 2003, the World Heritage Centre received a development plan by the State Party related to the lighthouse at Paphos and the refurbishment of the area surrounding it, located within the core zone of the World Heritage property.

 

ICOMOS stressed that this area has been almost entirely expropriated for archaeological research, and that the Lighthouse is built on the summit of what is generally believed to be the Acropolis of an ancient city. Although this has never been investigated, outcrops of ancient walls and considerable cuttings on the rock can be observed all around the more recent structures. The proposed development plan foresees the refurbishment of the lighthouse, the construction of restaurants and exhibition space as well as an access road to the lighthouse and parking space.

 

ICOMOS expressed its serious concerns regarding this project, as it will impede future archaeological investigation and seriously affect the already known archaeological remains. Furthermore, ICOMOS considered that it would alter the original character of the site and have significant negative impact on the integrity of the property, as the lighthouse is the highest landmark within the perimeter of the site.

 

The Department of Antiquities, as part of the Ministry of Communication and Works, informed the World Heritage Centre by a letter of 22 March 2004, that the permission for the proposed refurbishment and construction development had been declined. The authorities also mentioned, however, that the Municipality of Paphos still wishes to implement the proposal.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

28COM15B.86
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee, 1. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party concerning the development project of the lighthouse; 2. Congratulates the State Party for having declined the permission for the proposed development project, considered to have an adverse effect on the outstanding universal value of the property; 3. Recalls the importance of the area of the lighthouse for its possible archaeological remains and encourages the State Party to undertake comprehensive archaeological investigations; 4. Urges the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre should there be any construction developments, including a new proposal for the refurbishment of the lighthouse and its surroundings.

Draft Decision:28 COM 15B.86

The World Heritage Committee,

1.       Takes note of the information provided by the State Party concerning the development project of the lighthouse;

2.       Congratulates the State Party for having declined the permission for the proposed development project, considered to have an adverse effect on the outstanding universal value of the property;

3.       Recalls the importance of the area of the lighthouse for its possible archaeological remains and encourages the State Party to undertake comprehensive archaeological investigations;

4.       Urges the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre should there be any construction developments, including a new proposal for the refurbishment of the lighthouse and its surroundings.

Paphos
State Party:
Cyprus
Date of Inscription: 1980
Nomination records (Year): 1979
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)(vi)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2004
Threats*
  • Housing
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-04/28.COM/15B
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1480

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.