Deserted mosque, Vretsia. Look closely. Yes, they are bullet holes in the top of the minaret
You don’t have to dig very deep to find traces of Cyprus’ recent history.
Pre-1974, villages tended to be ‘Greek Cypriot’ or ‘Turkish Cypriot’. So after the events of 1974, the majority of the Turkish Cypriots left in what had become the Greek Cypriot area fled north, leaving their homes behind. The houses – and in many cases entire villages – remain against the day they’ll return.
This means there’s a number of totally deserted villages in Paphos Region.
Two abandoned houses in Vretsia. Will the Taksims and the Volkans return one day?
They’re spooky places to visit. Thirty plus years have taken their toll so few doors or windows remain.
Vretsia near Pano Panagia is a very good example. Built around it’s mosque, it must have been a pretty little place to live.
Today the mosque still shows signs of the troubles – look carefully at its minaret to see the bullet holes.
Click here to see more pictures of the deserted village of Vretsia. See also a description of the deserted village of Souskiou and other pictures of deserted villages in Cyprus.
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