Publications
The timeless craft of wooden furniture carving in Cyprus
Cypriot wooden furniture carving, a craft deeply rooted in Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman influences, stands as a testament to the island's artistic and cultural continuity. This study reveals how traditional motifs like religious iconography, vines, and rosettes serve not only as decorative elements but also as symbols of shared memory and identity, bridging centuries of socio-cultural evolution. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining historical research, fieldwork, and interviews with modern artisans, the research uncovers regional variances in carving techniques and materials, from the intricate furniture of Troodos to simpler rural home objects. Despite modernization, Cypriot carvers have maintained a high level of technical and symbolic continuity, preserving a heritage that defies mass production trends.
How authenticity is negotiated and experienced by clergy and tourists at religious World Heritage sites: taking a closer look into the ‘preserve as found’ strategy
A study reveals that the 'preserve as found' strategy at religious World Heritage Sites, such as the Painted Churches in the Troodos Region, shapes how authenticity is both negotiated and experienced by clergy and tourists. This approach, which prioritizes maintaining sites in their original state, influences perceptions of sacredness and heritage value. The research employed qualitative methods, including interviews with clergy and observations of tourist interactions, to explore these dynamics. Findings suggest that while the strategy preserves historical integrity, it also creates complex negotiations between conservation goals and visitor expectations, highlighting the need for balanced approaches to heritage management.
Progress Towards a Byzantine-Medieval Historic Buildings Tree-Ring Chronology from Cyprus Using Dendrochronology and Radiocarbon
A groundbreaking approach combining dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating has revealed promising prospects for reconstructing over 700 years of tree-ring chronology from Cyprus, with potential to extend this to nearly 1100 years. This study focuses on the wooden elements preserved in UNESCO-listed Byzantine-Medieval churches, such as those in the Troodos region, which hold significant cultural and artistic value. By analyzing samples from multiple sites, including the Timios Stravros church at Pelendri, researchers have established a floating 264-year chronology for Pinus brutia, with one gap requiring further investigation. This method, involving tree-ring sequenced 14C wiggle-matching, offers more precise dating than traditional stylistic analysis or inscriptions alone, providing a terminus post quem for artifacts like the celebrated liturgical wooden cross, approximately placing it between the 11th and 16th centuries AD.
Un fondateur grec sous le règne des Lusignan
A remarkable re-evaluation of the 15th-century frescoes in the Church of the Archangel Michael at Pedoulas, Cyprus, reveals new insights into the socio-cultural dynamics of the Lusignan kingdom during its transition under Venetian colonial rule. The study highlights the templon—a sanctuary barrier—of this exceptionally well-preserved church as a key artifact reflecting the intentions of its unknown Greek Orthodox founder, Basileios Chamados. By analyzing these frescoes within their historical and sociological context, researchers uncover previously undocumented aspects of Chypriot art and patronage during the late medieval period.
Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the UNESCO Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Cyprus)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys of the UNESCO-listed Painted Churches in Cyprus's Troodos region have uncovered preliminary evidence of buried monastic complexes and surrounding buildings, shedding light on lost architectural structures that once accompanied these 11th to 16th-century churches. The study, part of the IH-AT project, employed non-destructive techniques (NDT), including geophysical surveys, topographic mapping, 3D modeling, and art-historical analysis, to investigate subsurface features without excavation. While findings are still preliminary, they suggest the presence of buried structures that could significantly alter our understanding of these World Heritage Sites' historical context. Future excavations may validate these discoveries, offering new insights into the monastic life and urban planning of medieval Cyprus.
Multi-Modal Digital Documentation and Visualization of the UNESCO Painted Churches in Troodos (Cyprus)
A groundbreaking multi-modal digital documentation and visualization study of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Painted Churches in the Troodos Region' (Cyprus) has revealed new insights into the architectural features of these Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches. Using non-destructive techniques such as image-based and range-based methodologies, along with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), researchers confirmed the presence or absence of buried structures surrounding the religious sites, aligning with historical records. This comprehensive approach, part of the IH-AT project, not only advanced understanding of the churches' humble architecture but also developed a user-friendly web portal for heritage professionals and the public to interact with 3D models, customizable even by those with minimal programming skills.
The origins and evolution of Cypriot glazed ware productions during the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries CE
Cypriot glazed ware production, long considered stagnant, evolved significantly from the 13th to 17th centuries CE, adapting to socio-economic changes. Unlike the short-lived Paphos production (13th–14th centuries), Famagusta and Lapithos maintained production through the 17th century with distinct technical practices, reflecting local commercial growth. A shift in techniques around the 16th/17th centuries coincided with Ottoman rule's socio-political disruptions. This study combines thin-section petrography, SEM-EDS analysis, and craft process examination (chaîne opératoire) to challenge stagnation narratives, revealing dynamic technological adaptation.
Karamanlides at the monastery of Saint John Lampadistis in Kalopanagiotis: pilgrimage votives, architecture and sacred landscape
Research at the monastery of Saint John Lampadistis in Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus, reveals the significance of Turkophone Orthodox Christian votives as a record of pilgrimage routes and cultural exchange between Asia Minor, Cyprus, and the Holy Land during the 18th and 19th centuries. These inscriptions provide insight into the spiritual and healing practices of pilgrims who traveled through the Troodos range to seek the relics of Saint John Lampadistis. The study examines how the monastery's architecture and sacred landscape facilitated this immersion, offering a window into the cultural networks that sustained these journeys. By analyzing the spatial context of the katholikon church within the broader hierotopical topography, the research highlights the interplay between pilgrimage traditions, monastic hospitality, and local cultural heritage.
Medieval and Early Modern graffiti: multicultural and multimodal communication in Cyprus
Cypriot graffiti from the Medieval and Early Modern periods reveals a rich, multicultural intangible heritage, offering unprecedented insights into daily life practices such as magic, superstition, and religion. The analysis of these inscriptions demonstrates the diverse communication systems employed by their writers, reflecting the island's multicultural character. This study underscores the significance of graffiti as an 'invisible archive,' preserving aspects of everyday life that are often overlooked in historical records. By examining graffiti within the Painted Churches of the Troodos Region, researchers highlight its potential to contribute to the recovery of intangible cultural heritage and deepen our understanding of past societies.
The 1st EUHeritageTOURGUIDE "Basic"
The EUHeritageTOUR Guide introduces six innovative thematic itineraries linking UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Europe, offering unique narrative perspectives on cultural diversity. This 'basic release' version presents a structured approach to exploring sites like the painted churches in Troodos (Cyprus), fortifications in Elvas (Portugal), and urban centers such as Amsterdam and Brussels. The guide emphasizes the beauty of multiplicity by connecting lesser-known traditions—such as Porto wine production in Alto Douro (Portugal) or trappist beer brewing in Belgium—to broader European heritage narratives. By leveraging unconventional storytelling, it aims to deepen visitors' engagement with cultural identity, blending history, art, and local craftsmanship. The project exemplifies how digital tools can enhance the interpretation of World Heritage Sites for both academic and general audiences.
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