Zartarian Calls For Action To Save Surp Magar Monastery Before It Collapses

The cancellation last month of a planned pilgrimage to Surp Magar Monastery in the Kyrenia region brought renewed attention to the long-neglected site. Discussions intensified further after Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides agreed to establish a new coordination mechanism to facilitate religious visits and services. However, according to Zartarian, ensuring access for worshippers is only part of the challenge; preserving the monastery itself is equally urgent.

Speaking to Cyprus Post, Zartarian, who has been active within the Armenian Cypriot community for nearly two decades and also serves on the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, said support for the monastery's restoration would benefit not only the Armenian community but also Cyprus’s shared cultural heritage.

Call To The Turkish Cypriot Community

Zartarian said that support from Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot leadership would carry significant symbolic value regardless of the amount contributed.

“This is not only about saving an Armenian monastery; it is about protecting Cyprus’s common cultural heritage,” he said, describing Surp Magar as a site that reflects the island’s multilayered history and occupies a special place in the collective memory of different communities.

He suggested several practical goodwill measures that Turkish Cypriot authorities could implement, including repairing the access road, restoring water and electricity infrastructure, creating visitor facilities and ensuring regular maintenance of the site. According to Zartarian, these are relatively low-cost steps that could be completed quickly and would significantly improve access for visitors, including pilgrims, tourists and tour groups.

A Cultural And Tourism Opportunity

Zartarian said restoring the monastery would not only preserve an important historic monument but could also transform the area into a major cultural and tourism destination.

“The region could benefit significantly from tourism. This project is not only about preserving the past; it is also an investment in the future,” he said.

He also pointed to recent efforts to normalise relations between Armenia and Turkey, arguing that cooperation on the restoration project could send a positive message about dialogue, trust and mutual respect.

More Than A Place Of Worship

Zartarian stressed that Surp Magar was not merely a religious site but also a social and cultural gathering place for generations of Armenian Cypriots.

“Scout groups from the Melkonian School camped here during the summer, families spent weekends here, picnics were organised and children played in the monastery grounds. It was not just a place of worship,” he said.

He noted that the monastery continues to hold a special place in the memories of many people across different communities.

“I believe the current state of the monastery saddens everyone in Cyprus. Whether Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronite, Latin or Armenian, the loss of this site would diminish the cultural richness of the entire island,” he added.

Restoration Plans Ready, Funding Gap Remains

Surp Magar Monastery is currently facing a serious risk of structural collapse. Experts have identified roof failures, deep cracks in walls and vegetation damage throughout the complex. Engineers and architects warn that the next 12 to 18 months will be critical and that some sections could be lost permanently without urgent intervention.

Preservation efforts began several years ago. Comprehensive feasibility and engineering studies were carried out in 2018 and 2019 through cooperation between the UN-supported Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Emergency stabilisation works started in 2020 but were interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and contractual disputes with contractors.

Technical preparations for restarting the project are largely complete. The aim is to update the plans, complete a new tender process and begin work in early 2027.

The cost of the emergency stabilisation and restoration project is estimated at approximately €1.5 million. Around €1 million in pledges has already been secured, but an additional €500,000 is still needed before work can begin.

Pilgrimage Cancellation Renewed Attention

Zartarian also referred to the cancellation of a planned pilgrimage to the monastery last month.

He said all necessary documentation had been submitted through the United Nations around three months in advance and that organisers were initially informed that permission had been granted. However, approval was later withdrawn shortly before the visit due to what authorities described as an administrative error.

Before the pandemic, such pilgrimages were held annually. This year's event had attracted around 60 to 70 participants and transport arrangements had already been made.

Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu later told Greek Cypriot media that the pilgrimage had not been permitted because of the monastery’s deteriorating condition.

The cancellation reignited public concern over both the monastery’s condition and years of neglect. Civil society organisations and members of the public criticised both the last-minute decision and the continued deterioration of the site.

A Shared Heritage At Risk

For Zartarian, the greatest threat facing Surp Magar is time itself. More than a thousand years old, the monastery continues to deteriorate with each passing winter.

He argued that preserving Surp Magar is not solely an Armenian concern but a matter of protecting Cyprus’s shared cultural heritage and strengthening dialogue between communities.

History Of Surp Magar Monastery

Located in the Alevkaya mountain range, Surp Magar Monastery dates back to the 11th century. Named after Saint Macarius of Alexandria, it served as both a monastery and pilgrimage centre throughout the medieval period. Historical records indicate that it gained prominence during the Lusignan era and came under the ownership of the Armenian Church of Cyprus in the 15th century.

Ottoman-era decrees formally recognised the monastery’s ownership and privileges. Over the centuries it provided shelter to clergy, pilgrims and travellers and later served as temporary accommodation for Armenian refugees fleeing Cilicia in the early 20th century.

Abandoned after 1974, the monastery has received little maintenance over the past five decades.

Situated in a forested valley of the Kyrenia mountain range at an altitude of approximately 530 metres above sea level, the monastery lies around two kilometres from the Alevkaya picnic area. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it served for centuries as an important religious centre and refuge for Armenian Cypriots.

Known for its views of the Mediterranean and the mountains of Anatolia on clear days, the complex consists of residential buildings and two small chapels located side by side to the northeast of the main courtyard.

According to Zartarian, restoring Surp Magar would represent more than the rescue of a historic building. It would demonstrate a commitment to preserving Cyprus’s multicultural heritage, protecting a shared memory and choosing responsibility over neglect. “If this monastery can be saved,” he said, “it will show that Cypriots are capable of preserving rather than losing what they share.”