Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu stated that with the completion of the restoration and renovation project at the Kyrenia Ancient Harbor at the end of June, the port will become a favorite spot of the country's tourism.
Ataoğlu said about the works at the Ancient Port of Kyrenia, which is one of the important restoration projects of the TRNC, that no repair and renovation activities have been carried out in the port since 1974.
Explaining that the restoration and renovation project at the Ancient Harbor of Kyrenia started on December 1, 2022 and consists of 4 stages, the first 3 stages of which cover the works on land and the 4th stage includes the works at sea, Ataoğlu used the following statements:
"With the works to be completed at the end of June, the Ancient Harbor of Kyrenia will become a favorite of TRNC tourism. There was only a 2-3 week deviation from the completion of the project, both due to the emergence of additional works and factors such as historical rails that were found during the excavations. When the project is completed, Kyrenia Antique Harbor with its remarkable old texture will be opened to TRNC tourism."
Ataoğlu said that it has been expected for 50 years for the historical port to regain its old texture and stated that with the completion of the first 3 phases of the project at the end of June, the work on the 4th phase, which includes the arrangements on the sea, will begin.
"Kyrenia Ancient Harbor will return to its old days"
Regarding the stages of the Girne Antique Marina restoration and renovation project, Ataoğlu said:
"The first phase of the project included the restoration of the historical customs building in the port, cleaning the walls inside and grouting. The second phase includes the ground, water, sewerage and technical infrastructure works and we carried out this with the Municipality of Kyrenia. The third phase aims to make the facades of the buildings look monolithic. When these are completed, the ancient harbor of Kyrenia will return to its old days. The 4th stage of the project to be started in the future includes the arrangement of the sea, the acquisition of historical assets and the arrangement of the pier."