Famagusta: The European Union has allocated 466,400 euro to support the sustainable maintenance of cultural heritage sites in the city of Famagusta, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to the protection of Cyprus's shared cultural heritage, a press release by the European Commission says. Through the direct implementation of a European Commission supply contract, specialised vehicles, machinery, and equipment were delivered to the local community between October 2025 and January 2026. This targeted investment addresses a key gap in heritage preservation: the limited capacity for routine maintenance following restoration works.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the intervention builds on more than a decade of EU-funded restoration activities carried out by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) in Famagusta. "Since 2015, the TCCH has restored major landmarks, including the Othello Tower, sections of the city walls, several bastions and gates, churches and mosques within the historic centre, as well as important archaeological sites such as Salamina, Kampanopetra, and Agios Epiphanios," the Commission adds.
The assets provided will significantly strengthen local capacity for regular and preventive maintenance, like vegetation removal or emergency interventions, supporting a more sustainable approach to heritage management. "This initiative reflects the EU's integrated approach to cultural heritage preservation, linking restoration with long-term maintenance and reinforcing local ownership of historic sites. The EU has spent EUR 32.5 million since 2012 for the preservation of cultural heritage under the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community," the press release concludes.
The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and still occupy 37% of this Mediterranean island, member of the EU.