Missycat

By Missycat

Famagusta : ultimate dereliction

Today we went on the second of our two organised tours, this time to Famagusta, by way of Salamis.  We had the same guide as on our previous trip, Mary, who's own life has been personally shaped by the events of 1974.  If you do not know that history and want to know more just follow my link.  Mary's own family were Greek Cypriots who lived in the north and were forced to move south of the green line just as thousands of Turkish Cypriots were forced to move to the south, all obliged to abandon their homes and possessions.
To enter the north, occupied by the Turkish army, we had  to show our passports as we passed through one of several checkpoints.  Once in the north we were driven to Famagusta, which has become a 'Ghost Town' since 1974 when the inhabitants fled.  Five years ago we would not have been able to view it from the beach as we did today and my extras show warning signs that were strictly enforced not so long ago.
In my photo (taken with my phone - camera battery had  gone) all but the last building on the left are abandoned and derelict.  I remember swimming  here in the 1950s, as a British Forces child ( father in the RAF),  before these hotels were built.

Hope I'm not breaking the rules for Derelict Sunday: were we told that the photo could be taken any time during the week, although posted against the correct date?

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