Polemi Concentration Camp
As you approach Polemi from the B7, you pass the Kamanterena Winery on your right. Just beyond that, if you are paying attention, you will see a lookout tower that wouldn't look out of place on a WW2 movie. A couple of ancient armoured vehicles might also perk your interest, so pull over, and take a look at Polemi Concentration Camp.
Park Here
You can park in front of the camp. There is no need to park on the road.
The Main Entrance
Ok, so let's deal with the elephant in the room. Why is there a concentration camp in Polemi? Well, the truth of the matter is that Concentration Camps weren't invented by the Germans in WW2. The UK had concentration camps during the Boer War, for the internment of prisoners, and they had them in Cyprus from 1946 - 1949, to regulate the flow of Jews into Palestine. More information is available on Wikipedia. However, the Polemi Concentration Camp was built a decade later, to house and interrogate EOKA prisoners during Cyprus' fight for independence from the UK.
Information
The sign has more information, and reads as follows:
The Detention Centre (Concentration Camp) of Polemi was one of eight that the British operated in Cyprus during the Freedom Fight against colonial rule in the years 1955-1959. The Centre was opened towards the end of the conflict, in August 1958, and operated for 102 days. The Camp was very different from the other detention camps in Cyprus. It became notorious for the horrific and inhumane conditions suffered by the detainees, the violence, cruelty and torture to which the prisoners were subjected.
Escape From Colditz
Let's have a look at that tower. It reminds me of countless war films.
Go In
These days, the gates to the camp are unlocked. Last year they were bolted shut though, so presumably they were doing some repair work?