Frozen in Time: Abandoned Airport and Houses Inside Cyprus UN Buffer Zone

This year marks 40 years since Cyprus was divided into two after a Greek Cypriot coup and a subsequent Turkish invasion of the north in 1974.

After the ceasefire, a heavily restricted UN controlled buffer zone between the north and south of the island was put into operation. It stretches 180km across the whole island, measuring 7.4km at its widest and just 3.3 metres at its narrowest point.

The buffer zone is restricted to the general public and no Greek or Turkish Cypriots are allowed inside. London-based photographer Neil Hall travelled to Cyprus to document the crumbling relics of times gone by - abandoned houses, businesses and even an airport.

The passenger departure area at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

A grounded Cyprus Airways passenger jet is pictured at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

A Cyprus Airways passenger jet is pictured at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

The abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

Advertising billboards are seen at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

A cafe sign is seen at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

Immigration counters are seen at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

A sign warning passengers not to tip porters is seen through barbed wires at the abandoned Nicosia International AirportNeil Hall / Reuters

A former residential street lies abandoned in the United Nations buffer zone in NicosiaNeil Hall / Reuters

A former residential property stands abandoned in the United Nations buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

An abandoned street is seen in the United Nations buffer zone in NicosiaNeil Hall / Reuters

The kitchen of an abandoned cafe in the United Nations buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

Coca-Cola and Pepsi bottles on a table at an abandoned café in the United Nations buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

Photographic slides found and collected by soldiers are seen in the buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

This old pair of 'fashionable hosiery' was found by soldiers in the buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

Old TV sets collected by soldiers are seen in an abandoned commercial areaNeil Hall / Reuters

Cars sit abandoned in an underground garage in the United Nations buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

An illuminated flag of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey, overlooks NicosiaNeil Hall / Reuters

A sign marks the boundary of the United Nations buffer zone in the village of Pyla, home to a mixed community of both Greek and Turkish CypriotsNeil Hall / Reuters

Children play in a park in the Turkish Cypriot area of Nicosia next to a fence marking the United Nations buffer zoneNeil Hall / Reuters

A wall marking the boundary of the United Nations buffer zone is seen from the Greek Cypriot-controlled side of NicosiaNeil Hall / Reuters

A Greek Cypriot drinks a beer in the Berlin 2 Wall Café near a military lookout postNeil Hall / Reuters

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