We discovered the almost deserted village of Kazaviti as early as 1973. The numerous photographs from this first and from subsequent trips today represent historic documents. At that early time, no modern influences had reached Kazaviti yet. The houses had roofs of heavy stone slate, the paths were stone - paved, and the massive walls of the mansions and smaller houses in Macedonian style were built of stone, fixed by clay and lime and covered by solid beams of very durable mountain pine and chestnut wood. Vine pergolas gave shade to the public roads. The few remaining domestic animals - donkeys, goats and chickens - kept some image of a living village. At the main square two traditional kafenia invited the the odd few guests which had found their way up here . Most inhabitants had already left the settlement around 1950; now its fate seemed to be stamped and sealed: decay..
We took more photographs in the early 1980s. In comparison with the present condition they provide evidence of how the village has changed, which buildings were preserved and which houses have vanished since. |
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