Pera Oreinis Coun Try : Cyprus

Si te : Pera Oreinis Coun try : Cyprus

C ON TE N TS OF TH E F I L E

Synthesis Architectural typologies present Country’s approved significant sites

History and general information Current state of vitality and preservation Transformation process

Interventions and rehabilitation programmes Bibliography Lexicon

SYNTHESIS

The site is implanted in the Nicosia district, around 19 km north-west of Lefkosia town. It is built on the eastern bank of the river Pedieos. Being situated on the western Mesaoria plain, Pera is characterised by more or less the same features as the other settlements in this zone (grouped, uninterrupted construction, introverted architecture). As in other large settlements, the centre is more important, due also to the development of trade and the exchange of goods. Because it is situated near the foothills of Troodos mountains and very close to a river with a stony bed, Pera also has some features in common with the mountain Countr map y architecture, like the use of stone for building the ground floor. The traditional architecture is the only attraction for visitors, mostly small groups of special interest tourism. Apart from this, the Easter celebrations gather a number of Pera immigrants to their village for a few days. Regional scale Local sc ale

ARCHITEC TURAL TYPOLOGIES PRESENT

Simple Makrinari (rare) Dichoro (rare) Rural courtyard house Grouped house

THE COUN TRY’S APPROVED SIGNIFICANT SI TES

Drousheia Fikardou Kakopetria Lofou Omodos

Lefkara Pera Oreinis Rizokarpaso Lapithos Old Lefkosia (Nicosia) Detail of the urban fabric

This project is financed by the MEDA programme of the European Union. The opinions expressed in the present document do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or of its member States. 1/3 Per a Or e inis

HISTORY AND GENERAL INFOR MATION

The settlement has existed since the 1st century AD; during the medieval period it was a fief. On the other side of the river Pedieos is the archaeological site of the ancient kingdom of Tamassos.

 Surface ar ea of the site Approximately 89,100 m²  Geographical co-ordinates Lat.: 35°02' north – Long.: 33°15' east

 Height above sea l evel 330-380 m  Lithology Calcarenites, sandstones, marls, grav els. Chalks, cherts, sand and grav els.

Steady growth from 1981 until 1982.  Population In 1982, the population was 861 persons (locals and displaced persons from northern Cyprus). The population now is 1,250 permanent inhabitants and around 150 foreign workers. Its proximity to the capital (19 km) plays a significant role in helping to curb the depopulation which has affected many other settlements.  Population densit y

 Average annual maximum temperatures 35°  Average annual minimum temperatures 6°  Averag e of maximum temp eratures 42° during the hottest month for 10 year s  Averag e of minimum temperatur es during -1.5° the coldest month for 10 years  Averag e rainfall 380 mm

 Averag e number of days of rain p er year 54

 Specifi c ch aracteri stics

 Traditional economic activities Agriculture (cereals, olive trees, pulses, vegetables and vines), stock-keeping and trade in agricultural produce. Also many traditional trades (shoe-making, carpentry, iron-mongery, chair-making, tailoring, etc.) flourished because Pera was a large and wealthy settlement.

 New economic activities Agriculture. Many inhabitants commute daily to Lefkosia for work.

 Site’s communications with its terr itor y Old dirt track leading from Pera to the nearby village of Analiontas. The track passes through the fields and cultivated land and crosses the river Pedieos by the small bridge of Perati. There are also small paths leading to the worked f ields and the water mill by the river.

CURRENT STATE OF VI TALI TY AND PRESERVATION

The biggest problem is the sheer number of abandoned and neglected houses in the traditional centre of the settlement; the owners live abroad or in the city, or have died and their heirs prefer to build big new houses on the outskirts of Pera, where there is plenty of space.

TRANSFOR MATION PR OCESS

Many old houses were pulled down or abandoned and eventually collapsed, or underwent such severe interventions as to irrevocably alter their original appearance. Minor interventions, due mostly to the inhabitants’ desire for greater comf ort or for cheaper materials (cement renderings, metal windows and doors, inopportune extensions or additions), also contribute to the transf ormation of the traditional architecture of Pera.

INTERVEN TIONS AND REHABILI TATION PROGRAMMES

Many houses featuring traditional architecture are listed and protected by the Department of Antiquities and the Town Planning and Housing Department. The cost of restoration is subsidised by the Government. Unfortunately, a great deal of damage was done before protective measures were applied.

Contacts

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LEXICON

File created: 23/02/01 File last modified: 03/05/01