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Restoration work is set to begin at the historic Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Famagusta (Gazimagusa), a landmark in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with officials aiming to preserve and reinforce one of the eastern Mediterranean's most prominent medieval structures.
According to information from the Turkish Cyprus Presidency of Religious Affairs, the project will be carried out through cooperation between Türkiye's General Directorate of Foundations and the Cyprus Foundations Administration. Because of the restoration, worship and visits at the mosque have been suspended for a temporary period, and preparations began after Friday prayers were held there for the last time before the closure.
Landmark shaped by cathedral and mosque history
Faruk Seckin, the Famagusta representative of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, said the building had originally served as a cathedral and stood out for its Gothic style; a European medieval architectural tradition known for pointed arches, large windows and highly detailed stonework.
He said the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque was not only one of Cyprus' most remarkable monuments but also one of the most striking works in the eastern Mediterranean. He added that the structure had served as a mosque since the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571, and that wear and physical deterioration built up over time would now be addressed through restoration.
Seckin also said the work was expected to take three to four years and that the mosque would be strengthened in line with its original character once the project was completed.
Residents who gathered for the final Friday prayer before the closure said the decision was difficult but necessary, as the building holds both religious and cultural value for the city.
Ali Ozduran said he often came to the mosque for worship and stressed that the site mattered not only in religious terms but also for tourism in Famagusta. While saddened by the temporary closure for prayer, residents are pleased the monument will be restored for future generations.
Another worshipper Ihsan Bekiroglu noted the restoration was long overdue. He acknowledged that while the community will miss praying there, they look forward to returning once the project is complete.
Before the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571, the building served as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. As a premier medieval landmark, it features the Rayonnant Gothic style, a French architectural phase defined by elaborate tracery and an emphasis on light and verticality.
The structure was consecrated as a Catholic cathedral in 1328. After Famagusta was taken in 1571, it was converted into a mosque. From that year onward, it was referred to as the Magusa Hagia Sophia Mosque, before coming to be known as the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque from 1954.
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