Filenews 19 February 2026 - by Vassos Vassiliou
This also happened in Cyprus. An excavator entered an area, hit ancient small grain storage silos, turned them into "land of Midian" and no repercussions. This happened in the Municipality of Strovolos and specifically on a street of the old core where landscaping projects began which have been planned since 1990.
The unacceptable event happened in 2006 when the sewerage works were being carried out. By the time the message went out about the news about the ancient silos (which were located under the surface of the road) the damage had been done. The Department of Antiquities took care of their mapping, but because there is no other way at this point (for the installation of public utilities) the silos cannot be highlighted, so they will remain buried. It is worth noting, as we are informed, that if (then) the cut in the road was made on one of the two sides and not in the center, the silos would be saved. The silos have an opening of 2-3 meters and the work will be done next to them so that they are not destroyed completely. It is estimated that they date back to the Middle Ages.
However, because no one knows what else the subsoil may hide in the area, instructions have been given to carry out the work carefully.
A relevant reference to the ancient silos was made by the officer of the Department of Antiquities, Mrs. Andri Avgousti, who informed the MPs, members of the Parliamentary Committee on the Interior, before which the progress of the redevelopment works of the historic core of Strovolos was discussed today.
The Mayor of Strovolos, Mr. Stavros Stavrinidis, stated that the project is progressing smoothly and without delays, with the exception of a small one due to the location of antiquities (silos). As he explained, the silos are located around the perimeter of the Church of Agios Georgios.
He also said that the project (the implementation of which began in January) based on the relevant contract will be completed in 18 months and is financed by the EU structural funds.
As part of the implementation of the project, flood protection works will also be carried out.
When the question was asked "why the implementation of the project was delayed for so many years", the Mayor said that there were reactions from both the (former) Strovolos COOP and shopkeepers in the area. He also acknowledged that there was also inaction on the part of the Municipality.
The Mayor stated that the project will upgrade the historic core, asking, however, for the understanding of the citizens, given that in order to make this possible, some traffic arrangements will be required which for some time will cause inconvenience to passers-by and residents.
