By Bouli Hadjioannou
EXTENSION work at Stavrovouni monastery has been approved by the authorities, but other experts yesterday slammed the project as damaging to one of island’s most prized monuments.
The Technical Chamber and POAK, the association for the protection of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, told the House Environment Committee the Antiquities Department had bypassed the advice of a consultative committee when it agreed to a building permit.
The decision for a building permit was given not on scientific, but on other reasons, they added.
Deputies also heard that the Agriculture Ministry’s Environmental Service had not been consulted. Had it been asked it would have voted against, because the project “radically changed the monument’s character” an official said.
There was a spirited defence from Bishop Chrysostomos of Kitium, government officials and the project’s architects.
They said procedures had been followed to the letter and architectural designs changed three times to protect the character of the monastery. Foreign experts were also brought in to check the geology of the rocky outcrop on which the centuries-old monastery stands, they said.
Deputies were also told huge blasts from two quarries in the vicinity posed a direct threat to the monastery.
At issue is work already under way to extend the south and west wings of Stavrovouni monastery – the oldest in Cyprus. The bishop said the changes were essential because of increased demands on the monastery.
The monastery is an ancient monument, but enjoys a special status under the law because it belongs to the Church whose property cannot be expropriated.
The issue was brought to the committee at the suggestion of POAK’s Pevkios Georghiades. He criticised the project which he said damaged the character of the monument, but also the church’s general approach to architectural issues.
“Whereas the church opposes any change in the liturgy, it shows indifference on architectural issues,” he said.
Georghiades, an architect, spoke of pseudo-byzantine style, imported marble and other additions to church monuments totally alien to Cyprus’ cultural heritage.
On Stavrovouni, Georghiades said the two wings would encircle the monastery and distort its facade. Because of the rocky outcrop, parts of the building would be 10 to 15 metres high – equivalent to a five story block of flats.
“It will radically change the whole appearance of one the most cherished monuments in Cyprus,” Georghiades said.
Government officials countered that a building permit was granted after clearance was given by all relevant bodies, including the Department of Antiquities. The latter insisted approval was given after changes were made to the designs.
The Bishop was outspoken. He said experts could not insist on having their views adopted, but agreed to discuss changes – provided they did not affect work already carried out.
The project’s architects said the extension involved an eight-metre extension to the west, which would also result in reinforcing one wing which needed it. A destroyed Byzantine tower would be repaired in the process. Only local stone would be used, and aluminium and other alien elements already in place were being removed.
