Abandoned Villages - Prastio
Prastio Ruins
From here on in, it is going to be quite hard to describe the village. It is so difficult to get to, so there have been no attempts that we could see, to re-use any of the buildings. None have been converted to barns etc. They have all been left to nature. There was also no sign of any mosque.
Unknown Village
Looking on the PRIO database of displaced villages, there are three places listed called Prastio. However, they are all still populated, so we can rule this one out. Incidentally, from that database I learned that Prastio probably derives from ancient Greek words for "Hamlet" or "Close to City". My money would be on "Hamlet", as there aren't any cities around for miles.
--- EDIT ---
It has since been pointed out that Prastio is mentioned in PRIO. Why I didn't find it when I searched I don't know, but there it is in black and white.
If you read that, you will see that it was originally abandoned in 1964 when a TC Shepherd was murdered. The displaced GC left by 1978, so the village has been abandoned for 40 years.
--- EDIT #2 ---
Somebody added this information on Facebook:
Turkish Village
Abondened in February 1964.
The shepherd Kel Ali was killed by the gunman group of Drasibavlou village.
His sheeps was stolen.
The villagers was so afraid that they left village in the night and they took refuge in the much bigger Turkish village of Mallia.
Well-Made Walls
This building was obviously built by somebody who knew what they were doing. It is still mostly intact.
Not So Well-Made
Whereas these buildings have collapsed totally.
No Roads?
What is most surprising, to me at least, is how completely the roads have been obliterated. I mean, they must have had some fort of road system linking the houses. Even if they were cobbles or mud tracks, you would think there would still be some evidence.
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eBookCyprus Road Trip 01: the Kathikas - Panagia Loop
Let me take you on a journey around the region of Paphos, Cyprus. Starting at Paphos itself, we travel to Akoursos, then Kathikas, Kritou Terra and Simou. We continue past Lasa and Kannaviou, before taking in the delights of Panagia. Getting a bit more adventurous, we visit the abandoned villages of Statos and Agios Fotios, before passing through Choulou, Letymbou and Polemi, and rejoining the main Paphos - Polis road.
The route is suitable for all types of vehicle, and requires no off-roading. The guide contains about 130 photographs including shots of all the road signs you need to pay attention to, as well as some of the highlights you may experience along the way.
There are also several maps which will help you keep your bearings.
You can do this journey in a day, or you can break it up into chunks. You can also do it in reverse, to get some completely different views. It is entirely up to you.
