Neta, Famagusta District, Cyprus, March 13, 2024
Photo: evropakipr.com
Another 12th-century church on the Karpas Peninsula in the Turkish-occupied section of Cyprus has been restored.
Greek and Turkish Cypriot conservationists teamed up to restore the 12th-century St. Marina Church in the village of Avgolida, OrthoChristian reported in January, and now the Church of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus near the village of Neta has received the necessary attention from the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage, reports Kathimerini.
The project, which raised the church practically from ruins, was funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.
Photo: YouTube screenshot
Dr. Sotos Ktoris, co-chairman of the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage, expressed hope that its work “can contribute to strengthening the culture of understanding and mutual respect. That out of the darkness of the ruins can emerge the prospect of a more peaceful Cyprus.”
Before its restoration, the church collapsed walls, and the frescoes were missing, presumably looted.
“We found only small pieces on the ground. Now we can only see some signs of frescoes on the left and right at the entrance of the church,” said conservator of ecclesiastical heritage Michalis Mastris.
Overall, the floors, walls, and roof were worked on, and the altar was preserved.
Repair work began in September and finished in January. The results were presented last Wednesday, March 6.
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