Merry Wanderer of the Night:
Cyprus

  • Heritage: Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart

    Heritage: Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    The 12th century Gothic Bellapais Abbey high on the slopes of the Five Fingers mountains, situated in the Bellapais village, three miles to the East of Kyrenia, Cyprus, was built by the Lusignan kings and is stated to be the finest example of gothic architecture in the Levant.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Aerial view of the Bellapais Abbey 
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Currently the stables and part of the grounds of the Abbey are rented to a private person who runs a restaurant and holds large weddings and receptions within the grounds of the Abbey that continue late at night. This has been ongoing in excess of 20 years and it has not been duly regulated by the authorities.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    The half built sewerage treatment plant after an injunction is obtained to 
    stop the construction by the locals[Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Partly collapsed supporting wall just above the sewerage treatment plant
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    There have been alterations and extensions to the historic buildings, which compromised the aesthetic and physical integrity of the historic look of the Abbey.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    The construction site right at the base of the Abbey 
     [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Pool of sewerage at the base of the Abbey  
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Currently the proprietor of the said restaurant is in the process of building a sewerage treatment plant approximately 15 meters away from the foundations of the Abbey, which is already precariously positioned.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Trees growing in the Eastern Ealls of the Abbey  
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Detail of the damaged Eastern Wall  
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Damage caused by the heavy machinery during construction (they drove 
    above the cistern) to the main arch stone on the ceiling of the medieval underground
     water cistern at the base of the Abbeyl [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    There is visible erosion caused by weather conditions over the centuries and the Abbey itself has not had any restoration.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    Crack in the Abbey's Western Wall. There's a generator on the slope right 
    beneath this wall [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    View of the Abbey's Western Wall with the generator 
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    The waste pipe and the butane gas cylinder on the same slope
     as the generator [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    A huge crack has appeared on the western wall right above where the proprietor of the restaurant placed a generator. The supporting wall around the foundations collapsed in places. The other walls are also visibly in urgent need of repair.

    Gothic Abbey in Northern Cyprus falling apart
    View of the Abbey before the Turkish invasion of 1974 
    [Credit: Fatma Kaya]

    A conscientious group of citizens has set up a Facebook group for raising awareness of this unacceptable use and neglect of Cyprus' national heritage by both the authorities and the proprietor of the restaurant.

    The group has also set up an online petition (in Turkish) to submit to the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) parliament calling for the removal of the sewerage plant and to investigate the terms and conditions via which the lease has been granted.

    Author: Fatma Kaya | Source: Balabayis'a Aritma Tesisi Yapilamaz [January 12, 2015]

  • More Stuff: 12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London

    More Stuff: 12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    The Baroness Berridge, of the Vale of Catmose in association with Walk of Truth (WoT), Founder and cultural activist, Tasoula Hadjitofi held a presentation entitled: “Blood, Treasure and Islamic State: War, Extremism and the Looting of Culture” at the House of Lords on December 16, 2014.  The Baroness spoke with sensitivity and passion and demonstrated insightful leadership by brining this subject and looted art in the House of Lords.

    12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    Invited guests, Archbishop of Thyateira Gregorios and Great Britain, Baroness Maddock,  Lord Luce,  and Lord Turnberg were among a few of the many guests welcomed by Baroness Berridge.  Before a packed room she opened the presentation speaking about the link between religious freedoms and the destruction of cultural heritage.

    12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    Panagia. 12th century restored fresco from the Monastery 
    of Aspinthiotissa [Credit: Walk of Truth]

    Sponsor and co-coordinator Tasoula Hadjitofi presented two 12th century looted frescoes taken from the Monastery of Aspinthiotissa in the occupied area of Cyprus, Kyrenia which she repatriated on behalf of Walk of Truth. She spoke about the loss of freedom, identity and human indignity that occurs with war and destruction of cultural heritage.

    12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    12th century restored unknown fresco from Cyprus 
    [Credit: Walk of Truth]

    Mrs. Hadjitofi stressed the importance of engaging global citizens in lending their support to create a world of Peace. From refugee to protector of cultural heritage she engaged the audience on the importance of unity in combating the mass destruction of cultural heritage taking place in Syria, Iraq and Cyprus.


    Prof. Dr. Willy Bruggeman, Chairman of the Belgian Federal Police Council, and former Deputy Director of Europol spoke of the need to make destruction of cultural heritage as a crime against humanity.

    12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    12th century restored unknown fresco from Cyprus 
    [Credit: Walk of Truth]

    Baron Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia said, “It is imperative for international criminal tribunals to include destruction of cultural and religious heritage into their overall investigative strategies.

    12th century Cypriot looted frescoes presented in London
    Martyr. 12th century restored fresco from the Monastery 
    of Aspinthiotissa [Credit: Walk of Truth]

    Professor Norman Palmer, a barrister practicing at 3 Stone Buildings, Lincoln’s Inn, London and a visiting professor of law at King’s College, spoke for the need for a sound legal approach should be complemented with diplomatic and other initiatives that help  us to restitute unlawfully removed cultural treasures.

    The MP David Burrows, summarized the key points in a brilliant way and he and the Baroness will bring the findings to the House of Parliament and The House of Lords.

    Author: Tasoula Hadjitofi | Source: Walk of Truth [December 17, 2014]