The condition of cemeteries in Cyprus raises concerns

The condition of cemeteries and burial sites across Cyprus is described as “far from encouraging,” said Ali Tuncay, co-chair of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. Many cemeteries, mausoleums, and gravestones are in poor condition or have been completely lost, reflecting long-standing problems with the maintenance of burial sites on the island.

Restoration work has already begun: 30 cemeteries (15 from each side of the divided island) have been included in the restoration program. As part of the project, fences are being repaired, vegetation cleared, walls reinforced, and gravestones restored. After the main works are completed, relatives will be able to arrange the restoration of individual graves on a paid basis.

Committee representatives emphasize that cemeteries are not only architectural sites but also a humanitarian issue related to the memory of ancestors and respect for the deceased.