During the Cyprus EU Council Presidency, the Famagusta Gate will be utilised in various ways, Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, said on Friday, during the inauguration of the renovated area of the medieval Gate of old Nicosia.
In her address, the Deputy Minister of Culture briefly reviewed the history of the Famagusta Gate as well as the restoration work on the monument, recalling that its operation as a cultural centre was abruptly interrupted in 2018, when it was flooded after torrential rainfall.
Noting – among other things – that the maintenance and restoration of the Famagusta Gate by the Department of Antiquities is a project with a total cost of almost one million euro, Kassianidou described the monument as “an integral element of the historical and urban physiognomy of Nicosia”.
“For the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the promotion of the cultural heritage of Nicosia is a matter of key importance for the preservation and promotion of its historical value, especially at a time when Cyprus is at the centre of European interest with the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the reception of thousands of visitors,” Kassianidou stressed, adding that “during the Cyprus Presidency, the Famagusta Gate will be utilised in various ways.”
“The planning of the renovation of the Gate was carried out with absolute respect for the principles of minimal intervention, preservation of the authenticity and integrity of the monument, while restoring previous inappropriate additions, with respect for its historical value and aiming to preserve it for future generations,” she said.
The Deputy Minister of Culture said that “the Christodoulides Government systematically invests in important infrastructure projects aimed at highlighting our cultural heritage, increasing the number of visitors to museums, monuments and archaeological sites, as well as improving the overall experience of visitors”. However, she pointed out, “the preservation of our cultural heritage is a collective responsibility and a continuous long-term effort that concerns us all”.
“Today, the city of Nicosia can preserve and share the wealth of its cultural heritage with its residents and visitors”, noted Kassianidou. “Walking through the historic centre of the city visitors have the opportunity to admire the renewed image of the Famagusta Gate and get to know one of the most important examples of medieval fortification architecture that reflects the strategic importance and role of Nicosia in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Middle Ages,” she added.
Referring to the recent proclamation of Nicosia as the best European Capital of Culture in an international ranking, the Deputy Minister of Culture said that “it is an important confirmation of the collective effort of all those who work with vision and consistency for the culture of the city.”
Finally, she assured that “the Deputy Ministry of Culture will continue to consistently support efforts to preserve and highlight the multidimensional cultural heritage of our capital.”