Jazz filled the air as hundreds of people filled the streets of old Nicosia on October 13, 2010, to celebrate the reopening of the historic Grand Turkish Bath or Büyük Hamam. A stunning symbol of Cyprus' rich multicultural past, U.S. Ambassador Frank Urbancic noted, in his remarks, that the Hamam is also a symbol of hope for the future of the island. Collaboration on cultural heritage projects such as this recognize the contributions of each community to Cyprus' diverse whole. Built in the late 16th Century, and incorporating a range of architectural styles, the Büyük Hamam was traditionally used both for bathing and socialising, a practice and cultural ritual that continued well into the 20th Century. The entrance of the Hamam is situated 1 metre below street level, an indication of the layers of history that have passed since its construction

The two-year restoration project began in 2008 and was supported by USAID through the UNDP Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT) program. Throughout the process, great care was taken to respect the original structure of the building, and wherever possible to revive traditional techniques and retain special features of the building that help to tell its centuries-old story. It is hoped that with the reopening of the Grand Turkish Bath in the heart of old Nicosia, the long tradition and culture of the Hamam will now be experienced and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Other cultural heritage restoration projects currently being supported by UNDP-ACT include the Cultural Heritage Circle Preservation in the village of Kontea/Türkmenköy and the Armenian Church and Monastery complex in Nicosia. UNDP's Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Mr. Haoliang Xu noted that the preservation of historic monuments has been at the forefront of UNDP's work in Cyprus because it "helps build trust, cooperation and understanding between the different communities through a sense of shared heritage."