There are three World Heritage Sites in Cyprus, all of which are cultural sites. The first site to be listed was Paphos in 1980. In 1985, the Painted Churches in the Troodos Region were listed. The original nomination included nine churches, an additional one was added to the site in 2001. The most recent site added to the list was Choirokoitia in 1998 (with a minor boundary modification taking place in 2012).
Paphos
In 1980, Paphos was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its ancient architecture, mosaics, and ancient religious importance. It was selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2017 along with Aarhus.
Paphos Archaeological Park covers most of the ancient Greek and Roman City and is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its ancient ruins.
The most significant remains so far discovered are four large and elaborate Roman villas: the House of Dionysos, the House of Orpheus, the House of Aion and the House of Theseus, all with preserved mosaic floors. In addition, excavations have uncovered an Agora, Asklepion, the Basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa, a theatre, and a necropolis known as the Tombs of the Kings.
Painted Churches in the Troodos Region
The Painted Churches in the Troödos Region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Troödos Mountains of central Cyprus. The complex comprises ten Byzantine churches and monasteries richly decorated with Byzantine and post-Byzantine murals:
- Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) tis Stegis in Kakopetria: An 11th-century monastery and the oldest surviving katholikon in Cyprus
- Agios Ioannis (St. John) Lampadistis Monastery in Kalopanagiotis: A 13th-century monastery
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Phorviotissa (Asinou) in Nikitari: A 12th-century church
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) tou Arakou in Lagoudhera: A 12th century church
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) in Moutoullas: A 13th-century chapel and the earliest example of steep-pitched wooden roofs
- Church of Archangelos Michael (Archangel Michael) in Pedoulas: A late 15th-century church
- Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) in Pelendri: A church containing unique 14th-century wall paintings
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Podithou in Galata: An early-16th century church
- Church of Stavros (Holy Cross) Agiasmati in Platanistasa: A 14th-century church
- Church of Agia Sotira (of the Transfiguration of the Savior) tou Soteros in Palaichori Oreinis: A 16th-century church.
Initially nine of these churches were designated by UNESCO in 1985 with the church in Palaichori added to the list in 2001. The Church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa in Kourdali, Spilia, was submitted as a potential further extension in 2002 and currently resides on the Tentative List.
Khirokitia
Khirokitia is an archaeological site on the island of Cyprus dating from the Neolithic age. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1998. The site is known as one of the most important and best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean.
Much of its importance lies in the evidence of an organised functional society in the form of a collective settlement, with surrounding fortifications for communal protection. The Neolithic aceramic period is represented by this settlement and around 20 other similar settlements spread throughout the island.
