Agia Marina Chapel, Frenaros

Agia Marina Chapel, Frenaros

This chapel, which was built at the end of the 15th century, is located a few kilometers to the northeast of Frenaros village, in the district of Famagusta. It is a is single-aisled, vaulted structure, with approximate internal dimensions 11 x 5 m. 

The chapel is built in local porous fossiliferous limestone, with the following characteristics:

• Static Elastic Modulus (EN 14580): 13250-22900 N/mm²
• Compressive Strength (EN 14580): 6.5-21.5 MPa
• Splitting Tensile Strength (ASTM D3967-16): 2.15-3.40 MPa

Earth-based jointing mortars and lime-based renders have also been identified on the monument, following X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) bulk analysis of 3 samples collected in-situ.

The aforementioned tests for the characterization of the monument's stone and mortars/renders were carried out in 2021, in the framework of a combined laboratory and in situ investigation that was conducted to determine the physico-mechanical and mineralogical characteristics of the building materials of the chapel. Sampling and testing was assigned to the Building Materials and LEDRA Laboratories of the University of Cyprus by Platonas Stylianou & Associates Civil and Structural Engineering L.C.C.

University of Cyprus - Ledra and Building Materials Labs & The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ΕΤΕΚ)

University of Cyprus - Ledra and Building Materials Labs & The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ΕΤΕΚ)

University of Cyprus - Ledra and Building Materials Labs

University of Cyprus - Ledra and Building Materials Labs

Photos taken by Ioannis Ioannou, University of Cyprus - Ledra and Building Materials Labs