The Church of Cyprus is investing €100 million in a luxury 5-star beachfront hotel on the west coast of the island.
The building permits were issued after a heated controversy over the archaeological findings, according to the BNR.
The developer of the Diamond Essence Hotel, the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, received an environmental permit for construction from the Department of the Environment. Government approval was received 5 years after the initial application and paves the way for the final building permit.
The 8-story hotel will be located in the Paphos area, on the west coast of the island, on the beach areas of the archdiocese.
The luxurious complex will have about 500 beds, a restaurant, shops, a health center, a wine cellar, and other facilities. The construction of the facility will take two and a half years.
Simultaneously with the start of construction work for it, the construction of two 12-story residential towers will begin on the adjacent plot, which also belongs to the archdiocese.
The green light for the investment project of the church was delayed due to several archaeological findings discovered during excavations on the site – the remains of ancient structures, buildings of the Hellenistic era, and an ancient water pipe. After long and bitter disputes between the Holy Archdiocese and the Department of Antiquities, the plans to build the hotel were revised.