RESTORATION BEGINS OF SOURP ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH AND ARMENIAN COMPLEX IN TURKISH OCCUPIED NICOSIA
Gibrahayer – Nicosia
Jan 27, 2010
Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra – Last Sunday, 24 January 2010,
an Armenian-Cypriot delegation (Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian,
Representative Vartkes Mahdessian, Temagan Chairman Sebouh Tavitian,
Varchagan Chairman Dr. Antranik Ashdjian and Varchagan member &
architect John Guevherian) visited the site of the Armenian complex
in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, to view the initial progress of the
restoration of the medieval Sourp Asdvadzadzin church, the Prelature
building and the Melikian-Ouzounian and kindergarten buildings of the
community’s school. The complex also includes the Melikian mansion
(which was the main monastery building of the medieval monastic
complex) and the Armenian Genocide monument.
The planning phase of the restoration project, sponsored by UNDP-ACT,
was completed in December 2009. Recently, the contract was awarded
to contractors EMEK Ltd. Work is currently under way to support the
church and the Melikian mansion structurally; this will be immediately
followed by Phase 1, which is the complete restoration of the church.
Further phases include restoration of the Prelature building, the
three school buildings, the accessory rooms opening into the courtyard,
as well as the final landscaping of the church yard. The latter will
[hopefully] also include a restoration of the Genocide monument to
its former form.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
