Filenews 21 October 2025 - by Dora Christodoulou
In the context of today's debate on the Budget of the Deputy Ministry of Culture for 2026, Paphos MP Chrysanthos Savvides raised the question about the progress of the installation of shelters for the protection of the mosaics of the Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos which are known to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1980.
Mr. Savvidis stated that the officials of the Deputy Ministry informed him that this project was preceded by an international tender, with the support of the American Getty Conservation Institute, and a relevant study was prepared, which was characterized as the "Phase A" of the project. Unfortunately, despite the millions of euros spent on the study, the cooperation did not go ahead and collapsed, he stressed.
The Deputy Minister of Culture is making efforts to restart the cooperation with the aim of completing the project, however, according to the information so far, the implementation of the shelters is placed around 2030-2031, said Mr. Savvidis. This means that, once again, these unique mosaics remain exposed to weather conditions, which accelerates their deterioration, he noted.
For his part, the MP of Paphos of DIKO, demanded the acceleration of the procedures, in order to ensure as soon as possible the protection and preservation of these valuable cultural treasures, which are an integral part of the world cultural heritage and our national identity, as he pointed out.
