As a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974 the rich cultural
heritage of the occupied part of the island has suffered
considerable damage and is in danger of complete destruction.
Hundreds of churches and monasteries have been desecrated,
turned into mosques, hotels and recreational sites or otherwise
reduced to stables, hay stores and places of public convenience.
The Turkish army has also used them as arsenal and ammunition
depots, hospitals, dormitories and playgrounds. From the
information readily available it has been confirmed that 133
churches, chapels and monasteries have been desecrated, 77
churches have been converted into mosques, 18 are used as
depots, dormitories or hospitals by the occupation forces, 13
are used as stockyards or hay barns, the church of Agia
Anastasia in Lapithos (Kyrenia region) has been converted into a
luxurious hotel and the church of Panagia Chrysotrimithiotissa
in Trimithi (Kyrenia region) is used as a school of fine arts.
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