Dealing with abandoned monuments: the case of historic monasteries in Cyprus

Abstract

'This paper analyses current trends and approaches towards the conservation of abandoned monuments, demonstrating different strategies applied to historical buildings in Cyprus with an emphasis on medieval monasteries. Through the exmination of two cases - the restoration of Panayia tou Sinti Monastery in Paphos and the revival of Ayios Nicolaos Manastery in Orounda - the positive and negative consequences of the different philosophy and strategy followed in each case is demonstrated. ... This paper demonstrates that before making final decisions for the strategy to be followed for the conservation of a historic abandoned building, investigation and assessment of all its values within the philosophical framework of international principles for rehabilitation should be conducted.' Taken from publisher's abstract]