ABOUT THE CHURCH

It is believed that Agios Nikolaos Church was built during the late Byzantine period. Located in the village of Syrianochori/Yayla, the original edifice of the church was rebuilt, and more than likely renovated, in the 19th Century. It consists of a single-aisle, articulated into four bays, covered by pointed groin vaults and supported by arches.

THE CONSERVATION PROJECT

The church was selected as part of the priority intervention projects of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. An assessment was carried out in 2012, the aim of which was first to identify the critical problems, research and understand the monument and then create the designs for stabilising the monument, protecting the elements that are most at risk while observing internationally recognised conservation standards and creating a safe environment for the community.

The works focused mainly on removal of debris and vegetation from the building and inside the yard, consolidation of cracks on the apses and dome of the church, repairing of the roof of the original scuppers as well as of the internal and external walls, vault and decorative cornice, which were in danger of collapsing. It was possible to preserve one of the original door leafs (panel) at the west entrance while the missing leafs of the other doors and windows were rehewed. The bell tower was also repaired together with the wooden staircase and slab of the gynaikonitis (women’s section), The iconostasis and furniture were cleaned/repaired and put back in their original position.

Members of the diplomatic community, as well as many Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots attended the completion ceremony on 15 October 2014.