Abstract:
This paper1
intends to present and discuss the
architectural movements in Cyprus during the
westernisation period which started during the
last phase of the Ottoman Rule and continued
during the British Colonial Rule started in 1878
and lasted in 1960. During this period an eclectic
style of architecture which is a combination of the
traditional styles and the western elements developed
in the island. This is in fact an expression of the
attitudes of the local people as well as the rulers to
achieve their idealistic aims. Thus all elements used
in the contemporary architecture reveal the national
identity as well as the yearning for the modernity,
a trend which already was in full progress in the
capitals of the mainland, İstanbul for the Turkish
citizens and Athens for the Greeks. Therefore, the
focus in this paper will be on the architecture within
the defined periods that currently must be considered
as part of the architectural heritage since they reflect
the architectural
history as well as the
socio-economic and
political situations of
their times.
Examples from the
concerned periods
are selected and
analysed from the
North as well as the
South part of the
island. The analysis
is accompanied with
self descriptions and
wherever possible
documentation about
their past history is attempted. The concept of
nationalism and westernisation is also attempted
to be elucidated theoretically to clarify the case in
Cyprus.
Cyprus as an island of a rich legacy of various
civilisations bears different characteristics that
reflect the national identities as well as religious
beliefs of its citizens. However, although there are
many Latin religious monuments with original
character, there are only a small number of civil
buildings from the Medieval Latin and Ottoman
periods that we have inherited with little alterations
all of which were constructed for the need of social
welfare in traditional, modest styles. Cyprus having
inhabitants consisting of Moslem and non-Moslem
citizens, mainly the Turks and the Greeks, kept on
a traditional, modest style for the domestic as well
as the religious buildings. Even though there were
large complex of buildings constructed mainly for
the public use such
as inns, aqueducts,
medreses and tekkes
by the Turkish
people, it is known
that mainly the
remains of the Latin
buildings were
primarily used with
simple alterations
and restorations
according to the need
of the Islamic religion.
Only few Ottoman
buildings show the
classical Ottoman
The Development of an Eclectic Style in Architecture due to the Cultural Evolution
and Reflection of National Identity during the Westernisation of the Ottoman
