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The European Union has set aside €466,400 to improve the long-term upkeep of cultural heritage sites in Famagusta, reinforcing its continued involvement in safeguarding the island’s shared historical legacy.
According to a statement from the European Commission, the funding was used through a Commission-managed supply contract to provide the local community with specialised vehicles, machinery and technical equipment. These assets were delivered between October 2025 and January 2026 and are intended to address a persistent challenge in heritage protection: the lack of resources for everyday maintenance once restoration projects are completed.
The latest support builds on over ten years of EU-backed conservation work in Famagusta carried out by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. Since 2015, the committee has overseen the restoration of a wide range of prominent sites, including Othello Tower, parts of the Venetian city walls, multiple bastions and gates, as well as churches and mosques within the historic centre. Major archaeological locations such as Salamina, Kampanopetra, and Agios Epiphanios have also benefited from these efforts.
The newly delivered equipment is expected to significantly enhance local capacity for preventive and routine care, including vegetation clearance and rapid response to emergencies. This shift aims to ensure that restored monuments remain protected over time, rather than deteriorating due to insufficient follow-up maintenance.
The Commission described the initiative as part of a broader, integrated strategy that connects restoration work with sustainable management and strengthens local responsibility for heritage sites. Since 2012, the EU has invested €32.5 million in cultural heritage preservation through the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.
