landmark agreement was formalized at the
historic Church of Panagia Paramythia (Vlach-Saray)
on the afternoon of
Friday, December 1, 2023, in Istanbul. The final cooperation protocol was officially signed
between Özyeğin University
and the Waqf
Foundation of the Panagia Paramythia Vlach Saray Community. This agreement
initiates an immediate and
crucial action plan focused on structural stabilization—specifically reinforcing the church’s
historic walls,
constructing a protective temporary roof structure, and conducting comprehensive architectural
and historical
documentation of the site.
Scheduled to run for approximately two years starting January 1,
2024, the preservation initiative is generously
supported by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Representing Özyeğin
University on behalf of Mr.
Hüsnü Özyeğin, President of the Board of
Trustees, and Prof. Dr. Esra Gençtürk, Rector of the University, were Prof. Dr.
Aslıhan
Ünlü, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, and Ms. Ayşegül Özer, Project
Director. During the signing ceremony, the project leadership presented a detailed operational
schedule and restoration methodology to the members of the Board of
Trustees of the Panagia
Paramythia Vlach Saray Community, marking the beginning of a dedicated effort to safeguard this
invaluable piece of
cultural heritage.
