Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced plans to convert the historic Prinkipo Orphanage into a hotel as part of efforts to ensure its future use and preservation. The announcement was made during his address at the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the history of the historic institution, held on Friday, May 22, at the Museum of Prinkipo.
Patriarch Bartholomew thanked all those who contributed to the effort to preserve and highlight the historic building. Speaking at the event dedicated to the history and longstanding contribution of the Prinkipo Orphanage, he placed particular emphasis on the plan approved for the future use of what is considered the largest wooden building in Europe.
“I sincerely thank all our Turkish friends who contributed to the effort to preserve the memory and significance of our Orphanage,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said. “Among the members of the Greek community, I especially thank Archon Mr. Vingas, who in recent years worked tirelessly to secure all the necessary permits and to communicate with Europa Nostra, Turkish scientists, and university professors in order to prepare what we, as the Church and the Holy and Sacred Synod, ultimately decided to do: namely, to convert the Orphanage building into a profitable hotel, which will also upgrade the Princes’ Islands.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch also referred to the serious difficulties that continue to hinder efforts to save the historic wooden structure, stressing that the high restoration cost and the extensive damage remain the main obstacles to its preservation.
According to his remarks, the Patriarchate has repeatedly attempted to secure the financial resources required for the restoration of the historic building, but without success, as the restoration costs remain extremely high, while the wooden structure has already suffered major collapses in many sections.
The event focused on the historical and cultural significance of the Orphanage and brought together representatives of the Church, local authorities, academic institutions, and residents of Prinkipo and Constantinople.
The exhibition is hosted at the Museum of Prinkipo and was organized by the Islands Foundation with the support of historians, researchers, and representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Among those attending the event were the local hierarch, Metropolitan Elder Demetrios of Princes’ Islands, scholars, and many residents of Prinkipo and Constantinople. Greetings were delivered by the Mayor of the Islands, Ali Ercan Akpolat, as well as by Archon Grand Chartophylax of the Great Church of Christ, Panteleimon Vingas, who has worked for many years on matters concerning the Orphanage.
Following the event, the Ecumenical Patriarch toured the exhibition halls.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
