Filenews 16 April 2021 - by Pambos Vasilas
The continuation of excavations for the promotion of the ancient port of the archaeological settlement of Kition, close to the archaeological museum of Larnaca and the future consolidation of the two important archaeological sites, via a bridge on Agios Neophytos Street, about 350 – 400 meters below, is one of the most important projects that will begin in 2021 to be formed in Larnaca.
This was underlined in statements to "F" by the Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyra, clarifying that in the street of Agios Neophytos a few years ago, they found a Roman bath, and a very large area of archaeological value, with a mosaic depicting the 12 Sports of the mythical Hercules and which is already causing national and international interest.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport/Department of Antiquities, continued Mr. Vyra, in the area will be built a large project, an archaeological park of priceless value will be created that will highlight at the same time and in a unique way, the ancient port of Kiti, the archaeological museum and the mosaic with the 12 Sports of Hercules, on the street of Agios Neophytos. The project, which also includes expropriations of some properties, is expected to amount to about €3m, with a future prospect of being interconnected with the Kitios Archaeological Site, which will bring even more interest to Larnaca, from an archaeological point of view, stressed the mayor of the city of Zenon.
He also said that the Municipality of Larnaca plans to move the tennis facilities from the site of the ancient port of Kitio as soon as possible, and, if conditions permit, the French university mission to undertake the excavations will be in Cyprus around the autumn.
The old hospital
On the issue of the concession of the building and the premises of the old Larnaca hospital to the municipality, in order to be a housing area of the town hall, Mr. Vyras told "F" that "after the recent decisions of the Council of Ministers, the procedures for the concession/rental of the site began, from the Ministry of Health to the municipality. More specifically, following the referral of the matter by the Ministry of Health to the General Prosecutor's Office, some issues have been raised, on which concrete action needs to be taken. Namely: It was found in principle that there are two titles of ownership of the hospital. As far as the land is concerned, it belongs to the state. As for the two listed buildings of the old hospital, they belong to the "Patients' Council of the old Hospital of Larnaca, chaired by the Prefect of Larnaca". Therefore, continued the Mayor of Larnaca, it seems clear that two separate contracts will have to be signed in order to grant the place to the Municipality of Larnaca. One with the state concerning the concession of the land and the other with the Euanthia Pieridou Foundation, which will concern the lease/rental of the buildings.
The Attorney General's Office has also found that there is not yet a decision by the Council of Ministers to lease the site, but a decision only to move the Services. Therefore, a decision should be taken again to lease the land from the Ministry of Health.
Finally, with regard to the signing of the above, it was agreed that three independent appraisers will participate in the above procedure for the lease of the building by a Foundation.
Therefore, concluded Mr Vyra, at the moment we are in the process of preparing all the above documents, through the procedure I described, but also pending the new decision that the Council of Ministers should take, to grant the land. "We are on track to settle the bureaucratic process required for the matter to be settled, with a positive attitude towards it by all involved, Ministry of Health, Government/Prefect, Public Prosecutor's Office, etc.," he said.
