Church site in Lapithos turned into hotel

According to weekly CYPRUS TODAY (25/99 - 1.10.99), ``restoration work'' on

the former Ayia Anastasia church site in the occupied village of Lapithos,

which has been at the centre of disputes for the last five years, is well

under way and expected to be complete by March next year.

The former Ayios Anastasia Church site, perched on a ledge high up in the

village of Lapithos, is being converted into a modest hotel.

``Antiquities officials'' are keeping a close eye on the renovation, after

earlier work led to a previous ``lease'' being terminated.

The 19th century church is now being ``leased'' by the Apakgun family, who

run the Club Lapithos venue in occupied Lapithos, and also the Lapithos

Hotel in the occupied part of Nicosia.

Hotelier Tijen Apakgun said they had been given a ``temporary lease

agreement'', and were still awaiting ``council of ministers'' approval to

get the long-term ``lease'' of the site from the Evkaf religious

foundation.

She said: ``We are keeping true to the traditional architecture and design

of the complex, and' the Antiquities Department has set all of the

guidelines to which we have to adhere if we are to keep our lease''.

Miss Apakgun described the family's aim as being to turn the site into a

complex for ``resting'', not ``entertainment''.

It is planned to provide accommodation for 60, and to include a pool,

restaurant and caf'-bar in buildings beside the church.

The church itself is also being refurbished, and would be used only as a

gallery for cultural exhibitions and a venue for classical music concerts,

said Miss Apakgun.

The long-drawn-out ``restoration'' of the Ayia Anastasia site has seen the

``lease'' change hands twice in the last five years following disputes over

``antiquities'' and ``museums department'' stipulations.

Before it was acquired by the Apakguns, the ``lease'' had been given to

hotelier Mehmet Erulku, but it was revoked when traditional archways were

demolished.

They have now been rebuilt by the current ``leaseholder''.

Ayia Anastasia dates back to the 1870s. Although often thought of as a

monastery, Orthodox Church officials in Cyprus say it was never one, but

simply a church with a small hostel next door for visitors.

The Orthodox Church authorities in Cyprus say they have filed protests

through the United Nations about the ``renovation'' currently going on.

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T/C newspaper - Destruction of churches

Nicosia, May 20 1999 (CNA) -- A Turkish Cypriot newspaper today criticises

the destruction and desecration of churches in the Turkish occupied north of

Cyprus and wonders how the T/C would react if the Greek Cypriots destroyed

mosques in the government-held areas of the Republic.

Daily "Avrupa", which is often critical of the illegal regime in the areas

of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974, says "either the churches are

protected or they should be completely destroyed so that the T/C are not

internationally portrayed as vandals."

It is estimated that more than 500 churches in the Turkish occupied areas,

some of them dating back to the Byzantine era, have been destroyed, looted

or used for other purposes such as stables or store-houses.

"Avrupa" refers to the issue after photographs were published in T/C

newspapers showing the desecrated interior of a church and a second church

which has been turned into a stable.

It points out that the second church is one of several churches used as

stables.

The paper says that if Greek Cypriots treated mosques the same way the T/C

treat churches, "we would have immediately reacted and said they are trying

to eradicate anything Turkish from Cyprus."

The T/C daily also refers to the destruction of two Greek Cypriot cemeteries

in the Turkish occupied areas.

It says that churches have also been demolished and adds: "We continue to

remain spectators to their (the churches') destruction."

"Avrupa" says that the Greek Cypriots have brought the issue before the

Council of Europe.

"If the Greek Cypriots treated our monuments in the same way wouldn't we act

in the same way," it wonders.

The destruction of Cyprus' cultural heritage and the selling of priceless

artefacts stolen from the occupied areas and sold in the international black

market has often been brought before the Parliamentary Assembly of the

Council of Europe.

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CHRISTIAN CHURCHES HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO STABLES IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED

NORTHERN CYPRUS

Thessaloniki, 22/05/1999 (MPA_ The Greek state radio ERA5 reported that

based on a press report published by the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Avrupa"

many Christian churches are being destroyed in the Turkish occupied northern

Cyprus, while photographs show the interior of a church in a terrible

condition and another church that had been turned into a stable.

The newspaper mentions characteristically that the church is one of the many

that are being used as stables and wonders what would have been the reaction

of the Turkish Cypriot side if something like this was done to Muslim

mosques by the Greek Cypriots.

The newspaper also reports that a Greek Cypriot cemetery was destroyed in

order to build a road, while recently another Greek Cypriot cemetery was

also destroyed. It writes that the Greek Cypriots have protested against

these practices to the Council of Europe and added that the Turkish Cypriots

would have done the same.