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In September 2018, I was asked to travel to Cyprus and photograph the Buffer Zone / Green Line in Nicosia. An exclusive opportunity, since this area is not accessible for civilians. It is a demilitarised zone (DMZ), patrolled by the United Nations.

The goal of my visit was to take photos of the endangered architecture within the zone, and also bring the social aspect into the frame.

The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus is a demilitarised zone, patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), that was established in 1964, when Major-General Peter Young was the commander of a “peace force”, a predecessor of the present UNFICYP. After stationing his troops in different areas of Nicosia, the general drew a cease-fire line on a map with a green pencil, which was to become known as the “Green Line”. The zone extended in 1974 after the cease-fire of 16 August 1974, following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and de facto partition of the island into the area controlled by the Republic of Cyprus (southern Cyprus save for the British Sovereign Base Areas) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the North.

The zone, also known as the Green Line, stretches for 180 kilometers from Paralimni in the east to Kato Pyrgos in the west, where a separate section surrounds Kokkina. The zone cuts through the center of Nicosia, separating the city into southern and northern sections. In total, it spans an area of 346 square kilometres, varying in width from less than 20 metres to more than 7 kilometres. Some areas are untouched by human interference and have remained a safe haven for flora and fauna.

More info: romanrobroek.nl

#1

Road Block Found In The Centre Of Nicosia

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#2

Road Block Found In The Centre Of Nicosia

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#3

Road Block Found In The Centre Of Nicosia

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#4

Road Block Found In The Centre Of Nicosia

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#5

My Entry Point To The Buffer Zone

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#6

The Buffer Zone Has Now Literally Become A ‘Green Line’. The Trees You See In This Photo Are In The Buffer Zone. The Buildings Around It Are Mostly Outside Of The Buffer Zone

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#7

Ayios Kassianos School. If You Look Closely You Can See Bullet Holes In The Wall

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#8

Ayios Kassianos School

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#9

Ayios Georgios Church

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#10

On The Left You See ‘Annie’s House’

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#11

Spear Alley

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#12

House Remains

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#13

House Remains

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#14

Sandbags And Bullet Holes

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#15

Building Remains

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#16

Ayios Iakovos Church

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#17

Example Corner Building, Being Reclaimed By Nature

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#18

Window Frame

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#19

Maple House

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#20

Corner Building

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#21

Corner Building And Workshops

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#22

Workshops

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#23

Olympus Hotel

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#24

The Yellow Car

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#25

Car Storage With 'New' Cars

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#26

Car Storage With 'New' Cars

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#27

New Car In Showroom

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#28

New Car In Showroom

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#29

Maple House

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