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Conservation work has been completed at the monastery and church of Panagia Kanakaria in Lythrangomi (Boltasi), in Turkish-occupied Karpasia. The site is considered one of Cyprus’ most significant cultural monuments, combining early Christian craftsmanship with modern preservation techniques.
The project was funded by the European Union and carried out under the technical guidance of the U.N. Development Programme, with cooperation from Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts through the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
“This restoration is another tangible confirmation that cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can deliver results with strong symbolism,” said Sotos Ktoris, the Greek Cypriot co-chair of the committee, in comments to the Cyprus News Agency.
He added that monuments such as Panagia Kanakaria “strengthen our connection to the land and its history” and serve as reminders of Cyprus’ multicultural past, shared by Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
The church is notable for preserving elements from the early Christian and Byzantine periods. Built on the ruins of a 5th-century wooden-roofed basilica, it features local limestone masonry and frescoes. The semicircular apse of its first phase once housed the famous 6th-century mosaic of the enthroned Virgin Mary, flanked by angels and apostles.
Over the centuries, the church underwent several reconstructions: transformed in the 8th century into a barrel-vaulted basilica, then rebuilt in the 12th century with the addition of a dome and narthex.
According to UNDP, recent conservation included replacing deteriorated stones, consolidating the structure, removing organic growth, preserving mural decorations and mosaics, repairing the roof and wooden elements, and rebuilding sections of boundary walls.
The mosaics of Panagia Kanakaria are among the few surviving early Christian mosaics worldwide. Many were looted between 1977 and 1979 by Turkish art dealer Aydin Dikmen. They later appeared on the international art market, broken into fragments.
Since 1983, pieces depicting apostles, the Virgin Mary, Christ and archangels have been gradually repatriated. In 1989, four fragments were returned following a high-profile court case in Indianapolis. More recently, a stolen mosaic of Apostle Mark was tracked down in Monaco by Dutch art detective Arthur Brand and repatriated from the Netherlands.
The Department of Antiquities says it continues efforts to recover the remaining mosaics of Panagia Kanakaria, as well as other cultural treasures taken from occupied areas.
With information from CNA.
