Friday, 29 May 2009 00:00

Deserted Villages of Cyprus

Written by Mike
Deserted village of Souskiou, Paphos District, Cyprus, 26 April 2009 Deserted village of Souskiou, Paphos District, Cyprus, 26 April 2009

It's not uncommon to come across virtually deserted villages throughout Paphos Region.

They're a very real and continuing shadow of the 1974 war when Turkey invaded northern Cyprus.

One of the consequences of the war was the Turkish-Cypriot population moved north on the island and the Greek-Cypriot population moved south. The Turkish-Cypriots left their homes as they were, the land and property being held protected for the day they might return.

Walking through these villages today, they stand deserted and have done for more than 30 years. There's a spooky feel about them, and you don't have to look hard for signs of the often forcible nature of the occupant's relocation.

So far I've photographed Androlikou, Evretou, Souskiou and Vretsia.  How many more are there out there?

Mike

Mike

Mike McCormac has been a photographer since about ten years old.  He's a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and lives in a village in the hills near Paphos in Cyprus.

Read his full Bio

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