Andreas Avraam Photography
Agia Zoni Church Of Varosha
A church shielded by barbed wire in Varosha, you can see the cross on the bell tower was also removed along with other vandalism to the church. Since Turkeys invasion of 1974 and its continued occupation of northern Cyprus, it has seen 559 Christian sites of churches, chapels and monasteries either be completely destroyed, in ruin or converted into mosques or barns. With over 25,000 priceless and sacred items and relics from icons to chalices and bibles stolen by the Turks. Many of which have surfaced onto the black market for decades with only a handful of people actually being held accountable and prosecuted in courts of law from efforts by the church of Cyprus and private investigators. Many have spoken out against the purposeful destruction and desecration of Cypriot religious, cultural and historical sites over the years by Turks in northern Cyprus.
Varosha, a city worth $150 billion, was abandoned in 1974 when the Turkish military invaded and captured the northern half of Cyprus. 40,000 Greek Cypriot residents fled the city for fear of violence. Varosha was fenced off and declared a Turkish military zone, with no one allowed to enter for the past 47 years. The invasion resulted in widespread looting, destruction of historical sites, and displacement of 200,000 people, including 40,000 from Varosha.
Before the invasion, Varosha was a glamorous coastal town with golden sandy beaches and grand hotels that attracted famous stars like Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, and Brigitte Bardot. It was a thriving place known for its festivals and events, and it played a significant role in Cyprus' tourism, accounting for 90% of it.
In October 2020, people were allowed to visit the fenced off area for the first time. However, the Turkish government opened it for business and political interests rather than allowing the former residents, who still own properties there, to return. This move has sparked international condemnation due to its violation of United Nations resolutions. Evidence of attempts to erase Greek and Christian symbols by Turkish troops since 1974 was apparent, with crosses taken down and signs in Greek scrubbed away. The city felt like an apocalyptic place from the 1970s, with surveillance cameras monitoring visitors and military drones causing unease. Entry into buildings was strictly forbidden. During my visit, I encountered a group of Varosha refugees reliving memories on the streets, reminiscing about their first loves, laundry spots, favorite dining places, and childhood homes.
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Agia Zoni Church Of Varosha
A church shielded by barbed wire in Varosha, you can see the cross on the bell tower was also removed along with other vandalism to the church. Since Turkeys invasion of 1974 and its continued occupation of northern Cyprus, it has seen 559 Christian sites of churches, chapels and monasteries either be completely destroyed, in ruin or converted into mosques or barns. With over 25,000 priceless and sacred items and relics from icons to chalices and bibles stolen by the Turks. Many of which have surfaced onto the black market for decades with only a handful of people actually being held accountable and prosecuted in courts of law from efforts by the church of Cyprus and private investigators. Many have spoken out against the purposeful destruction and desecration of Cypriot religious, cultural and historical sites over the years by Turks in northern Cyprus.
Varosha, a city worth $150 billion, was abandoned in 1974 when the Turkish military invaded and captured the northern half of Cyprus. 40,000 Greek Cypriot residents fled the city for fear of violence. Varosha was fenced off and declared a Turkish military zone, with no one allowed to enter for the past 47 years. The invasion resulted in widespread looting, destruction of historical sites, and displacement of 200,000 people, including 40,000 from Varosha.
Before the invasion, Varosha was a glamorous coastal town with golden sandy beaches and grand hotels that attracted famous stars like Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, and Brigitte Bardot. It was a thriving place known for its festivals and events, and it played a significant role in Cyprus' tourism, accounting for 90% of it.
In October 2020, people were allowed to visit the fenced off area for the first time. However, the Turkish government opened it for business and political interests rather than allowing the former residents, who still own properties there, to return. This move has sparked international condemnation due to its violation of United Nations resolutions. Evidence of attempts to erase Greek and Christian symbols by Turkish troops since 1974 was apparent, with crosses taken down and signs in Greek scrubbed away. The city felt like an apocalyptic place from the 1970s, with surveillance cameras monitoring visitors and military drones causing unease. Entry into buildings was strictly forbidden. During my visit, I encountered a group of Varosha refugees reliving memories on the streets, reminiscing about their first loves, laundry spots, favorite dining places, and childhood homes.
Instagram: andrewavraam_photography
FB: Andrew Avraam Photography
Shares, Likes and Comments are very much appreciated as it helps my Artwork grow.