Rocky Pathway

An uneven stone pathway that has witnessed many steps from feet traveling through the village of Kayakoy.... more

by Phyllis Taylor

Title

Rocky Pathway

Artist

Phyllis Taylor

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

An uneven stone pathway that has witnessed many steps from feet traveling through the village of Kayakoy.

Kayakoy ghost village lies a short distance from the bustling and popular resorts of Fethiye and Olu Deniz. It is deserted, it is lifeless, the houses are crumbling and the streets are empty.

However, there is an aura and an overwhelming presence that hovers over the village.

You can imagine the tragedy that caused the citizens to turn on their friends, abandon their homes, their dreams and everything they knew.

Kayakoy might be a ghost village but imagination and research certainly makes it come alive.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Kayakoy was in full flow. Schools, churches, shops and business operated in harmony. Life was good. The village was thriving as a community.

The twist and most important part of its history lie in the fact that within the village, Greeks and Turks lived side-by-side. The Greeks called the village Levissi while the Turks called it Kayakoy.

Outside their religions and schooling, the Greeks and Turks integrated with each other, sharing the same common goal and that was to get through life one day at a time.

The story of this village and its demise is told in the book "Birds Without Wings" by Louis De Bernieres.

Uploaded

May 10th, 2016