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Abandoned Villages - Souskiou

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 8:37 am
by Dominic
It's time to return once more to the Diarizos Valley, which lies on the border of Paphos and Limassol. Before Easter we had been exploring the abandoned villages and sleepy hamlets, and I want to show some more of the pictures we took, before the approaching summer heat makes them unrecognisable. So on this blog we shall visit Souskiou. Easy to miss as you drive up the valley, it is nevertheless one of the largest abandoned villages you will likely meet on your travels in Cyprus.

Read the article and chat about it below...
 
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Re: Abandoned Villages - Souskiou

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 2:10 pm
by Jimgward
Thanks again Dominic. I find these very interesting. It also shows that prior to 19070's Cypriots did indeed live in poverty, most without toilets, running water or electricity.... I'd imaging much of rural Turkey will still be like this...

Re: Abandoned Villages - Souskiou

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:29 pm
by Dominic
Somebody posted this on the Paphos Life facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/paphoslife/
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Your blog is wonderful.
The reason most TC villages we’re abandoned is very simple.
In 1963 TC rebels prevented access to GC and thus the TC people were ‘enclaved’ in the areas of their dominance.
Between 1963-1969 the Electricity Authority of Cyprus implemented its plan for providing electricity in all villages in the island. The same path was followed be CYTA.
Due to the Turkish threat the employees of the two Authorities were unable to reach the villages. Road construction and upgrading with asphalt was also impossible.
Therefore, when TC moved to the occupied part of the island, it was impossible for GC refugees to settle in these areas due to the complete lack of infrastructures.
In the north part of the island infrastructures were available from the 50s and early 60s because many villages had considerable larger populations, the shape of the land made it easier for the construction of new roads and the areas around the coast were the dominant touristic places.
The Government of Cyprus systematically implemented a policy for the innovation/preservation of a number of TC monuments, under its effective control, after the Turkish invasion.
In contrast, it is very well known how the GC monuments were treated in the occupied by the Turkish army areas.
Just to mention that electricity in my village Simou,Paphos was brought in 1964 and telephone connection in 1965 (one Community telephone unit installed in the village’s center).

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And don't forget, we have a facebook chat group too, if you like that sort of thing.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/paphoschat