Selimiye Mosque to Reopen for Worship

The Selimiye Mosque will reopen for worship on Thursday, May 8, at 2:00 PM.

According to a statement from the Department of Religious Affairs, restoration work—carried out with the support of the Directorate General of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey—has now been completed.

The renovation of the Selimiye Mosque began in 2020. Originally designed as a church named Hagia Sophia, construction started in 1209 and the building was not consecrated until 1326.

After the Ottoman Empire captured Nicosia in 1570, the church was converted into a mosque, and minarets were added. Selimiye remained the largest mosque in Cyprus until the completion of the Hala Sultan Mosque in 2018.

Earlier reports had indicated that restoration would be completed in time for the start of the holy month of Ramadan. It was hoped that this year’s Eid al-Fitr prayers would take place in the newly restored mosque. Ramadan ended on March 29.

Also read: What makes the Selimiye Mosque special