The Bi-communal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage has announced the successful completion of the restoration of the Saint (Ayia) Paraskevi church, situated in the illegally occupied area of Kato Varosha, Famagusta. The project, a significant step in preserving Cyprus’s cultural heritage, was celebrated with an event marking its conclusion.
Sotos Ktoris, co-chair of the committee, detailed the church’s rich history, noting that it was constructed in five distinct phases from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The final phase introduced a bell tower and a neoclassical design, giving the structure its present character. Ktoris explained that, except the apse, each phase saw the application of plaster to cover the irregular stones used in its construction.
The restoration, funded in part by the European Union, which provided two-thirds of the financial support and carried out by the United Nations Development Project, ensures the church remains a vital cultural asset for Cyprus. The effort reflects ongoing collaboration to protect historical sites amid the island’s complex political landscape.
The completion event underscored the importance of such initiatives in fostering shared heritage and reconciliation. Saint Paraskevi, now restored to its former glory, is a testament to centuries of architectural evolution and cultural resilience.