| United
Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization
|
UNESCO is an agency
of the United Nations, established in 1946. Its primary mission is to define
and conserve the world's heritage by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding
values should be preserved for all humanity. In addition it endeavors to
ensure their protection through a closer co-operation among nations. Cyprus became a member of UNESCO on 6th February 1961. UNESCO helps with the preservation of archaeological
sites at Paphos, Khirokitia in the Larnaca district and buildings in the
Troodos region. Here on Troodos is to be found one of the largest groups
of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. The ten churches
and monasteries from this area included on the World Heritage List are
all richly decorated with murals from the Byzantine and post Byzantine
period. The ten painted churches of the Troodos region are |