One of Girne’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks, Villa Latomia, has officially reopened following a comprehensive restoration.
The reopening ceremony was attended by President Ersin Tatar and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, both of whom emphasized the importance of preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage for future generations.
Originally built in 1933 by architect William Douglas Caroe during the British colonial period, Villa Latomia is regarded as one of the finest examples of British architecture in Cyprus.
After being placed under the protection of the Antiquities and Museums Department in 1975, it served as the Museum of Fine Arts until 2010 but had remained abandoned since then.
Through a collaborative effort between the Deputy Prime Ministry, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment, the Antiquities and Museums Department, and Özyalçın Construction, the villa has been meticulously restored and brought back to life.
Speaking at the event, Antiquities and Museums Department Director Emine Ziba and Özyalçın Construction Director Yağmur Özyalçın underscored the importance of preserving the country’s historical and cultural assets.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu noted that the restoration project, which took 28 months, involved extensive renovations, conservation, and specialist restoration work.
He highlighted the significance of restoring neglected cultural landmarks to ensure their continued contribution to society. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel praised all those involved in reviving Villa Latomia and emphasized the government’s commitment to completing unfinished projects and launching new initiatives to benefit the public.
He noted that many projects in cultural heritage, education, and healthcare have been realized through government efforts, local government collaboration, and public-private partnerships.
President Ersin Tatar expressed his delight at seeing a historic building of cultural significance brought back to life through meticulous restoration.
He affirmed that Villa Latomia would add great value to the TRNC’s history and cultural heritage. brt
