Vathylakas, Cyprus. Rizokarpaso environmental protection association chairman Firat Borak called for the restoration of the church in Vathylakas, warning that its current condition could pose safety risks.
Safety concerns over deteriorating structure
Borak said the church is located in the village centre and described it as an old building that “was once a mosque and later a cultural centre” but is now “beginning to crumble.” He said the site is becoming “a very dangerous place for children” and warned that such places, particularly in villages, can have dangerous consequences.
Tourism and local economic development
Borak said restoring the church could have positive effects on tourism in the area, arguing that historic structures could be made into attractive tourist destinations. He said that without restoration work on the church in Vathylakas and similar structures, people would not visit the villages and historic buildings and the local population would not achieve economic development.
Background on the village
Vathylakas was historically a Greek Cypriot village, with original inhabitants remaining until November 1976, when they were, according to the Peace Research Institute Oslo (Prio), forcibly displaced southwards. After 1976, the village was largely used for the resettlement of Turkish nationals, mainly from the southern provinces of Adana, Gaziantep, Mersin, and Osmaniye.
What steps should be taken to address safety risks at deteriorating historic buildings in villages like Vathylakas?
