Cyprus Evkaf Administration Continues Cooperation on the Preservation of Historic Turkish Cemeteries

The Cyprus Evkaf Administration continues to contribute to efforts to preserve historic Turkish cemeteries and martyrs' memorials, which are among the important elements of foundation cultural heritage, and to support inter-institutional cooperation in this field.

Within this scope, as part of the work carried out by the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee, conservation, restoration, and landscaping works have been completed in numerous Turkish cemeteries and martyrs' memorials located in Southern Cyprus. Perimeter walls were repaired, graves underwent conservation and restoration, weeds were removed, and cemetery surroundings were landscaped.

As part of the project, conservation and restoration work was carried out in the Turkish cemeteries of Geçitkale (Köfünye), Boğaziçi (Aytotoro), Aksu (Anglisides), Vuda, Larnaca Grand Mosque, Tatlısu (Mari), Taşkent (Tochni), Pirga, Ötüken (Mennoya), and Lefkara, as well as the martyrs' cemeteries of Alaminyo, Tuzla, Düzkaya (Evdim), Yeşilyurt (Mandirga), and Bağlarbaşı (Malya).

Conservation efforts covering approximately 70 cemeteries across the island are being carried out in stages. While work has been completed in some cemeteries, applications are ongoing in others, and preparatory work is underway in still others.

Citizens with relatives buried in cemeteries where basic conservation work has been completed will be able to maintain their family graves and renew gravestones at their own expense after the necessary coordination and permit processes are finalized.

With the financial contribution provided by the Turkish side, the martyrs' graves in Bağlarbaşı (Malya), Alaminyo, Düzkaya (Evdim), Yeşilyurt (Mandirga), and Tuzla cemeteries have been renovated. Renovation work in other cemeteries is planned to continue in stages.

Conservation efforts will initially focus on Turkish cemeteries in the Limassol region, and will then be expanded to include cemeteries in different parts of Southern Cyprus.

The Cyprus Evkaf Administration views the preservation of historical Turkish cemeteries and foundation cultural heritage not only as a matter of respect for the past, but also as part of a shared responsibility towards future generations. With this understanding, it resolutely continues its work in cooperation with all institutions contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.

Historical cemeteries and martyrs' memorials are among the most important heritage elements that keep the common memory, cultural identity, and history of society alive. Every effort undertaken to preserve these values ​​and pass them on to future generations continues to be a concrete demonstration of our will to protect our history and our ancestors.