Ten years have passed since the discovery of the rare Roman-era mosaic depicting the Labours of Hercules on Agiou Neofytou Street in the Chrysopolitissa area of Larnaca.
The mosaic was uncovered on 14 July 2016 during works related to the city's sewerage system. A decade later, local stakeholders and residents are still waiting for state authorities to make possible the excavation, preservation and public display of what experts describe as a unique archaeological find with international significance.
Despite repeated representations by the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company, the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Municipality of Larnaca to the Department of Antiquities, the Deputy Ministry of Culture and even the President of the Republic, no substantial progress has been made.
As a result, the mosaic remains buried beneath the roadway, which has remained closed to traffic throughout this period.
When will you respond, Mr President?
On 16 June this year, the tourism board, the chamber of commerce and Larnaca municipality sent a joint letter to President Nikos Christodoulides requesting his personal intervention to advance the long-standing demands for the promotion of the mosaic and the creation of the Larnaca Archaeological Park.
To date, the city's representatives say they have received no response.
In their letter, local stakeholders expressed frustration and disappointment over the continued inability to secure the specialised personnel needed to carry out excavations and fully uncover the archaeological site.
They also referred to the long-delayed plans for the preservation and promotion of the ancient port of Kition, arguing that Larnaca possesses a unique archaeological heritage that could become an important point of reference not only for Cyprus but for the wider eastern Mediterranean region.
According to the letter, the ongoing delays are depriving both Larnaca and Cyprus of a significant cultural and developmental opportunity, particularly as the city prepares for its role as European Capital of Culture 2030.
Months turned into years
The discovery of the mosaic attracted extensive coverage in both local and international media and was regarded at the time as one of the most important archaeological finds in the city.
George Philotheou, then Director of the Department of Antiquities, famously remarked that "masterpieces like this come to light once every 100 years."
At the time, he said several months would be required to complete the excavations and fully reveal the mosaic.
For Larnaca, however, those "several months" have turned into several years and counting.
Ten years later, the city's institutions and residents are still waiting for tangible progress.
