Nicosia, 5 March 2021 – The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) is pleased to announce the completion of conservation works at several sites within the framework of the “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus” project funded by European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The works completed consist of the following:

• The Afendrika Archeological Site, situated in the ancient settlement known as Urania, includes Panagia church, Asomatos church and Agios Georgios church. The churches benefitted from intensive cleaning and structural consolidation works. The flooring of the churches were reburied and gates were installed. Better rainwater management systems were put in place and all openings were covered. The budget for the conservation project, which began in October 2020 and ended in December 2020, was 215,595 Euros.
• At Panagia Evangelistria, cracks and dislocation of stones were repaired, and iron elements were treated in the bell tower. Missing stones that could pose structural risks were replaced, and the surfaces were waterproofed. The emergency interventions carried out were for the purpose of safeguarding the church . The budget for the conservation project, which began in October 2020 and ended in December 2020, was 32,583 Euros.
• At Agios Evlalios, in the Kyrenia area, the mosaic floors on the north side and interior were uncovered, consolidated, and protected. Vegetation was removed and deteriorated stones were replaced. The emergency interventions carried out at this site were for the purpose of safeguarding the church from further decay. The budget for the conservation project, which began in October 2020 and ended in December 2020, was 51,807 Euros.

The important work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage continues with the ongoing tendering processes for several mosques across the island. In particular:

• At Orounda mosque, works are currently being tendered and conservation is expected to start in May 2021. The mosque complex consists of three buildings: the mosque, made of rubble stone masonry, a secondary building made of adobe masonry and the school building. All three structures will benefit from safeguarding from further decay and the provision of structural support.
  
• At the mosque in the village of Maroni  the tender process for the design is currently ongoing whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mosque will benefit from safeguarding from further decay.
• At the mosque in the village of Kalo Chorio/Vuda the design process is ongoing and is expected to be completed in August 2021 whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mosque will benefit from safeguarding from further decay and the provision of structural support.
• At the mosque in the village of Lefkara the design process is ongoing and is expected to be completed in August 2021 whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mosque will benefit from safeguarding from further decay and the provision of structural support.
• At the mosque in the village of Alektora the design tender will be launched in March 2021 whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The structure, which features a carved inscription above the keystone of the builder’s name, will benefit from safeguarding from further decay.
• At the mosque in the village of Avdimou/Evdim the design tender will be launched in March 2021 whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mosque will benefit from safeguarding from further decay and the provision of structural support.
• At the mosque in the village of Tera the design tender will be launched in March 2021 whilst conservation is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021. The mosque will benefit from safeguarding from further decay.

The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage has continued honouring its mandate during the unprecedented circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst at the same time ensuring that it fully adheres to lockdown restrictions. The committee has been overseeing the safe resumption of works/efforts at cultural heritage sites across Cyprus by implementing the required safety measures. The above-mentioned sites are among many other cultural heritage sites that are currently benefiting from the partnership of UNDP and the European Union under TCCH.

Through its work, TCCH aims not only to restore the monuments, but also to create an atmosphere for building confidence and a culture of peace on the island of Cyprus. Each conservation site is a reflection of the cultures behind it as well as an intersection of civilizations. Thanks to the cooperation of TCCH, UNDP and the European Union, the common cultural heritage of the island continues to be preserved.

Since 2012, 84 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP, with funding from the EU. Approximately €19.9 million have been provided by the European Commission to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage in Cyprus. The European Union is the biggest supporter of the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus.

For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: media.cy@undp.org or Tel. +357 22874733 or +90392 2200027.