Railways as Common Cultural Heritage: Cyprus Government Railway

Abstract

Cyprus Government Railway (CGR), which operated between 1905-1951 was constructed during the British Colonial period. Railway heritage is important, since it is part of the common cultural heritage of both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities living on the island. However, division of the island is a challenge to the conservation of the railway heritage. Unfortunately, little effort has been made by the two communities to document, preserve and reuse railway heritage buildings and related structures. The main goal of the paper is to raise the awareness of the railway heritage in Cyprus and to propose strategies to use this common heritage as a tool for reconciliation in a divided island. The method of the study included archive survey conducted to identify original railway buildings and structures. Secondly, field studies were completed in order to record the present day condition of the railway heritage. Lastly, a vision for the future of the shared heritage has been put forward for inter-communal benefit. CGR is a shared heritage of the both the communities. Due to its potential to contribute to the reconciliation of the society, conservation of the railway heritage is crucial in terms of transferring the culture to the next generations.