and The Municipality
are constructing an exact replica of the "KYRENIA
II". The "KYRENIA II" was the result of
a unique experiment of Nautical Archaeology carried out in
1982 by the Hellenic Institute for the preservation of
Nautical tradition (Mr. Harry Tzallas and his Team) and the
prominent scientists on the field Professors: Michael Katzev
(dec.2001) and Dick Steffy. The major purpose of this
achievement was to attempt to construct a replica of the
Kyrenia ship in exactly the same method as the ancient
replica has the exact dimensions of the prototype and was
built using the same methods applied by ancient shipwrights.
Known as the "shell-first method", it involved the
building-up of the planks first, in contrast to the
technique use din modern wooden shipbuilding, where, after
laying the keel, the frames are placed first. As far as is
known, this was the only method used in shipbuilding up to
the tenth century AD.
original name of the ship was not preserved, so she is known
affectionately as "Kyrenia". The replica was named
Kyrenia II. Construction was completed in 1985 and followed
the original lines of the ancient shipbuilders. The
materials used were close to the original as possible. Pine
was selected and for the tenons pegs of oak. Its sail
measured 64 sq. m, an educated guess as to the original.
II was launched on 22 June 1985 and went on a trial sail
before attempting to travel to the islands of the Aegean in
an attempt to recreate the probable route the ancient ship
made during her last voyage.
replica of "KYRENIA" is to be constructed
following exactly the same lines plan, however since the
objective is not a naval architectural task - which
would have been a meaningless repetition of the first
successful experiment of "KYRENIA II", modern
fast traditional boat building methods are to be employed as
the major objective of "KYRENIA" is to
continuously experiment with ancient mariners methods and
capabilities of sailing.
consider finding out the sailing techniques employed by our
ancestors as our prime objective and will persist, with
the assistance and advice of all scientists from all freedom
and justice loving nations in the world.
website will try to keep you informed about the
of the "Kyrenia Ship" project.