Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between cultural heritage and the stresses of prolonged conflict in Cyprus. By looking at the churches in a village in the northern part of the island, which represent different approaches by the government and the actual community in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it underpins the concept that the re-use of the churches ensured their survival whilst other disused churches have suffered from lack of maintenance. The study specifically concerns the attitude of the present community towards the protection of churches and the importance of their role in the resultant lack of financial sources for heritage protection.