First Phase of restoration works at Apostolos Andreas Monastery has been completed

The first phase of restoration works at Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Karpasia peninsula has been completed.

The interior and exterior restoration of the church has been completed and opened to visitors.  The restoration of the fountain, the chapel, the buildings in the northern part and the environmental regulations will be started in 2017.

In her speech at the inauguration ceremony, the head of the United Nations Development Programme – Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF), Tiziana Zennaro stated that they have completed the first phase of the restoration, consisting of the main church and neighbouring buildings, which was promised 2 years ago as part of the UN Development Programme.

“The monastery of Apostolos Andreas has not only been a monument, but also a symbol of Cyprus. Today it is a symbol of perseverance, unity and peace,” Zennaro said.

Giving information about the restoration, Zennaro said: “During the restoration, which started in September 2014, 58 icons were cleaned along with other works and the cost of the first stage of the restoration was 2.23 million Euros.

Furthermore, Zennaro pointed out that they aim to complete the second phase – which will start in 2017 – within 1 year.

The Turkish Cypriot co-chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Ali Tuncay, noted that the Apostolos Andreas Monastery is one of the most significant projects undertaken by the committee.

“Our cultural heritage and cultural differences must not cause conflict but be our wealth that contributes to both communities living in peace, with prosperity and cooperation” Tuncay said.