Nicosia: Tenders have been announced for the restoration works of three churches in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, as part of the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) which aims to identify and safeguard the rich immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus and of all its communities. Dr. Sotos Ktoris, Greek Cypriot Co-Chair of the TCCH told the Cyprus News Agency that tenders for the restoration of Panagia Apsinthiotissa in Syngrasis, Panagia Galaktotrofousa in Palekythero and Agios Prokopios in Sygkrasis, have been announced.
According to Cyprus News Agency, work on these three projects is expected to begin in autumn 2025. Additionally, restoration works are anticipated to start in the coming days at mosques in Kilani and Agios Thomas in Limassol district, as well as Panagia Faneromeni in Gastria, Karpasia and Agios Georgios in occupied Vokolida.
Regarding the cemetery and chapel of Agios Fanourios in Agios Georgios, Kyrenia, Ktoris said that the committee aims to carry out conserva
tion work at cemeteries throughout Cyprus. He also said that part of the dome and metal gate of the Agios Fanourios Church have already been restored. However, he emphasised that the chapel “is not prioritised by the Committee because there are dozens of monuments with greater architectural and archaeological value that require immediate intervention”.
Regarding cemeteries, he noted, “this is an ongoing effort that will continue, and our intention is to cover all cemeteries across Cyprus”. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.