The Restoration of the Church of Agios Vasileios has been initiated
Date Added: 10 April 2016, 13:33
Last Updated Date:06 December 2016, 11:38

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– The Restoration of the Church of Agios Vasileios, which is within the University of Kyrenia campus, has been initiated…

– As part of the “Preserving and Staking a Claim on Historical Values Project”, University of Kyrenia is continuing to work on issues regarding national and international introduction of the country.

It was expressed that the Church of Agios Vasileios was a historical site within the University of Kyrenia campus and that the University had taken up the responsibility of restoring it.

According to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of University of Kyrenia, the church has a history dating back to the 19th century and is located in Karakum, Kyrenia; within the University of Kyrenia campus. Furthermore, it was expressed that the University of Kyrenia had taken up the responsibility to restore the church as part of its “Preserving and Staking a Claim on Historical Values Project”.

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The abandoned church which remains from two hundred years ago will be restored for the island of Cyprus…

The four arched, two exedra and single dome church had been abandoned for years. The church’s Byzantine architecture is expressed to be a distinguishing feature of the church. Moreover, stones and plaster have been used to construct the inner walls of the church, whereas windows were made of timber. The roof was stated to have partially collapsed and that there were deep cracks in the walls of the church. Further to the above, it was stated that there was a locust tree growing within the church of Agios Vasileios; and the grave stones within its garden probably indicated that this region was previously used as the cemetery of the village.

The church is expressed to hold a place in history and that it has been abandoned for years. Moreover, the church was stated to date back to the 19th century and that it was going to be restored by the University of Kyrenia. It was also pointed out that as part of the University’s vision of staking a claim in history and historical sites specifically within Kyrenia, the University was aiming to complete the restoration within a short time period.

Cemre Günsel Haskasap: “While we continue to facilitate International Educational Services, we are also non-continuously making efforts to make contributions to the public regarding social, cultural, environmental and historical values”…

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Making a statement regarding the matter, the Founding Rector of University of Kyrenia, Cemre Günsel Haskasap stated that the university wanted to draw attention to social responsibilities. She said: “Being an international location of higher education at the centre of Kyrenia, we are highly aware of our responsibilities which involve not only to facilitate educational opportunities, but also to stake a claim on historical values so as to provide them to the public, both nationally and internationally.”

She further expressed that as the University of Kyrenia was founded, they had set certain goals to perform acts for the benefit of everyone; without making a discrimination regarding religion, race, culture or concepts alike. She added that the University was continuing to be involved in projects in accordance with their mission and goals and were looking forward to bring a historical value, a heritage of Cyprus, back to life. She pointed out that due to the current status of the church, it could not be used and that they, as the university, wanted to restore a historical heritage within the university campus. Moreover, she stated that Agios Vasileios was an important structure for the island of Cyprus, and that they had felt the responsibility that it should be restored. She ended her words by pointing out that the University of Kyrenia would be continuing to be part of similar projects as they strongly believed in making a contribution to the public, not only by means of education but also by means of social and cultural responsibilities.