Another Historic House Demolished in Nicosia

Another stone-built house in Nicosia was demolished on July 19th, just two months after the Minister of Interior's statements regarding the 'moral obligation to preserve cultural heritage'.

The demolition raised questions about what constitutes cultural heritage and which buildings should be protected. Questions are being raised as to whether the remaining residences on Byronos, Gladstonos and Agiou Andrea streets, as well as the scattered residences such as those on Arnaldas and Elektra streets, are part of the cultural heritage or simply private properties.

In February, after the demolition of the Tryfonos residence in Arnaldas, there was discussion about the need to record and preserve valuable buildings. A record made in 2016 by the Municipality of Nicosia ended up in the Town Planning Department without any follow-up.

The Architects Association had stressed that the loss of such buildings degrades the architectural identity of the place and deprives future generations of the opportunity to know the built past.

The photo is by architect Stella Evangelidou.