Selimiye Mosque, considered one of the most important symbols of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, was opened for worship with a ceremony held today after the completion of the comprehensive restoration work that began in 2019.

The ceremony was held simultaneously with the “Mass Opening Ceremony of 101 Foundation Works Special for the 101st Year” organized within the scope of Foundation Week in Turkey. The live opening ceremonies, which were attended and spoken by the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan via live connection, were held in TRNC, Albania, Tokat and Gaziantep, respectively.

President Ersin Tatar spoke after Erdoğan at the ceremony.

Erdoğan: “The number of foundation cultural assets revived in the last 23 years has reached 5,927”

In his speech, the President of the Republic of Turkey (TC) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the theme of Foundations Week this year was determined as “Foundation and Family” and that events would be held throughout the week around this theme.

“As a nation, we have a truly dazzling foundation tradition. We are undoubtedly among the few countries in the world in this field,” emphasized Erdoğan, and said that the Turkish General Directorate of Foundations has been carrying out the task of establishing, enriching and transferring the deep-rooted foundation tradition to the future for 101 years.

Expressing that they made this meaningful anniversary even more meaningful with the works they inaugurated, Erdoğan noted that the mass inauguration of 101 foundation works whose restorations were completed in Turkey and abroad in the last year was held today.

Erdoğan wished that the works that were put into service after a meticulous restoration process would be beneficial to the country, the Turkish nation and his friends in the geography of hearts, and emphasized that each of the structures is the product of a high understanding of aesthetics.

Tatar stated that the completion of the restoration, as a result of the great efforts of the General Directorate of Foundations and the work carried out in the last 4 and a half years, is a great gain for the TRNC, and noted that the Selimiye Mosque has been used for the worship, prayers and beliefs of the Turkish Cypriots for 450 years since the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottomans in 1571.

History rising in the heart of Nicosia: Selimiye Mosque

Located in the center of Nicosia, the Selimiye Mosque has stood out for centuries with both its religious and historical identity.

Selimiye Mosque, historically known as the Hagia Sophia Mosque or Hagia Sophia Cathedral, was built by the Lusignans in 1192. This magnificent structure, which also hosted the Knights Templar for a period, was repaired and converted into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered Nicosia.

Selimiye Mosque, which is the largest historical structure that has survived to the present day in Nicosia, underwent a comprehensive restoration process in 2019.

Selimiye Mosque, which was restored to its original state, was reinforced against earthquakes

Within the scope of the restoration works carried out by the Cyprus Foundations Administration and completed with the support of the General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey, the structure was reinforced against earthquakes; stonework, domes and interior details were restored to their original state.