Sunday, September 2, 2012

Thassos revizitat 8. Sate de munte: Kazaviti / Thassos Revisited 8. Mountain Villages: Kazaviti

The mountain village which I liked the most is named Kazaviti or Megalo Prino. It hangs on the mountain coast, not more than 4 km from Prinos, which is on the main road (Prinos was once named Kalyves, and here you may see a continuous culture of olive trees, since 3000 years ago, when the Phoenicians planted the first ones).


After 1950, the village was almost completely deserted, until the ‘80s, when foreigners rediscovered the village in their search for tradition and tranquility. On the green valley, they bought houses in bad condition and renovated them, making of this place a little jewel. Now here come mostly Greeks, who appreciate the cool air during the summer.

There are few tavernas in the center, where one can eat traditional meals, and drink a raki or an ouzo.

After we ate stuffed vine leaves and white bean in the oven, we went to discover whatever could be seen. Unfortunately, the old 12 Apostles church was closed, but I discovered a lot of lovely details. I leave to you to judge if this village deserves a visit.
 

Satul care mi-a placut cel mai mult se numeste Kazaviti sau Megalo Prino. La doar 4 km de Prinos (pe soseaua principala - numit candva Kalyves si unde mai traiest maslinii urmasi ai celor plantati de fenicieni acum 3000 de ani), pe o vale inverzita si racoroasa, agatate de costele muntelui se vad casele din Kazaviti.

Sunt atat de bine ascunse vederii de pe mare de vegetatia bogta, incat piratii nu au descoperit niciodata locul.
 Kazaviti sau Megalo Prino
Chiar la intrarea in sat, ne intampina un fel de han, acum pustiu.
Dupa 1950, satul a fost aproape complet parasit, pentru a fi redescoperit in anii '80 de catre strainii care cautau atmosfera traditional greceasca. Acestia au cumparat case darapanate pe care le-au renovat admirabil, facand din Kazaviti un sat cochet, unde la umbra platanilor batrani din centru, cele doua taverne iti ofera diverse bunatati, insotite de un paharel de raki sau de ouzo. In afara de proprietarii satelor, acum cei mai multi turisti care vin aici sunt greci.
Dupa ce am mancat niste sarmalute in foi de vita si fasole cu bob mare, la cuptor, am plecat sa exploram putin satul. Un indicator ne indruma spre Biserica 12 Apostoli.
Din pacate, ceea ce am gasit a fost o bisericuta ce parea parasita, iar nelipsitul lacat trona pe poarta. A trebuit sa ma multumesc cu o fotografie facuta printre zabrele.
 intrarea in Biserica 12 Apostoli
Pe stradutele inguste, multe in panta, am descoprit cu incantare mici detalii care aratau grija deosebita pentru estetica si pentru respectarea traditiei locale.

18 comments:

Joop Zand said...

Nice places and very good photo's.....wish i could be there.

Greetings, Joop

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks, Joop! It's not so far, you can even drive:)

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Nice place, away from the city !

VP said...

Quite different places from the other day...

Traveling Hawk said...

It's good for relaxation, Wong!

Traveling Hawk said...

Yes, VP, almost every village has something special.

cartim said...

Foarte frumos acest loc, excelente fotografii.
Imi place satucul, este simplu dar foarte cochet...

ZielonaMila said...

Beautiful photographs, interesting architecture. I am greeting

Doug Hickok said...

Yes, well worth the visit, with beautiful details that tell much about how special this village is. Wonderful post TH!

Traveling Hawk said...

Da, cartim, a fost un loc care mi-a placut tare mult si a picat bine intr-o zi calduroasa, cu verdeata lui.

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks a lot, ZielonaMila!

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks, Doug! What you say, it counts.

Randy said...

Nice series of shots.

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks, Randy!

joo said...

It's such a beautiful village!

Traveling Hawk said...

Yes, it is, Joo!

J_on_tour said...

Nice place, lovely composition shots. Its great to be able to take photos in a busy pavement cafe with no-one there.

Traveling Hawk said...

Thanks, J_on_tour, for your visit!