Conservation completed at Ayia Marina chapel in occupied Lapithos
The EU co-funded conservation of Ayia Marina chapel in occupied Lapithos has been completed under UNDP supervision, Sotos Ktoris announced on Tuesday.
Lapithos, Cyprus. Conservation of the Ayia Marina chapel in occupied Lapithos, Kyrenia district, has been completed, according to an announcement on Tuesday. The work forms part of continuing efforts to safeguard Cyprus’ religious and cultural heritage.
Funding and supervision
Sotos Ktoris, the Greek Cypriot co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, reported on social media that the European Union had co-funded the project, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) overseeing its implementation.
In April 2025, the European Commission announced a further €5 million allocation to support the committee during 2025–2029. This raised total EU funding since 2012 to €32.5 million.
Island-wide conservation efforts
Created in 2008 under United Nations auspices, the committee brings Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts together to safeguard and restore historic and religious monuments throughout Cyprus.
UNDP has assisted the committee with conservation projects since 2010, including urgent interventions involving churches, mosques and other historically significant sites.
The Lapithos restoration follows other conservation initiatives in the area. Earlier this month, work was also completed at the Koilani mosque in Limassol and at the Church of Ayia Paraskevi in Palaiosofos, Kyrenia.
The committee has said that safeguarding the heritage shared by the island’s communities is an important way to foster cooperation and strengthen trust between them.
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