A very old water reservoir in Strovolos, Cyprus, is now at the center of a difficult debate. The argument is between building new roads and protecting cultural history. The well-preserved structure, built in the early 1800s, is directly where a new four-lane motorway is planned. This road would connect two major avenues. After a parliamentary committee investigation, experts and government departments agree on one solution. To save the historic site, the road’s design must change so it goes over the reservoir.
The reservoir is an important landmark. It was built around 1817 by Archbishop Kyprianos to provide water for local people. Its large size and construction from local stone show it was a major engineering project for that period. Old maps, like the famous Kitchener map from 1883, prove it has been part of the area for a long time. Now located in a linear park near a museum, the reservoir is a physical connection to the region’s farming history.
The problem started when the new road’s planned route cut right through the reservoir’s location. The issue was examined by a government audit committee and several departments. They all support the view of environmental groups, who say the site’s historical value cannot be replaced. Katerina Hadjistylli of the Ecologists’ Movement explained the risk clearly. She said destroying the reservoir for the road would be "a serious historical mistake and a blow to our country's cultural heritage." She added that local people traditionally called its water “the despot’s water,” showing its deep social importance.
The suggested solution is to lift the road and build a bridge over the reservoir. This engineering compromise is technically possible but would require redesigning the project, which could increase costs and cause delays. The other option—following the original plan—would completely destroy a unique monument that has survived for over 200 years.
The coming decision is very significant. It forces a choice between the immediate needs of modern traffic and the duty to protect a piece of history that, once lost, is gone forever. The result will show how Cyprus manages the balance between development and preservation. As officials discuss the plans, the future of the Strovolos reservoir remains uncertain, testing whether modern infrastructure can work around the lasting marks of the past.