Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sunday Walk in Kozani




Typically, I post pictures of the Greek countryside, seafront and other tranquil spaces that I enjoy. Last Sunday we spent the day in Kozani and I decided to take photos along my afternoon walk in order to share with you what one might see when visiting the city center.


Parking is always a challenge in the center.



This building looks appears to be uninhabited and the signs of closed businesses are still visible.


Abandoned store fronts become a great place to advertise, naturally.




Sidewalks can be very narrow in the city. Because of this,  people are often forced to walk in the street.




The front of a produce shop that was closed since it was Sunday.




In the platiya (πλατεία) or the city center, there was a very small yet peaceful demonstration marking the one year anniversary of the Greek riots. The riots were sparked when a fifteen year- old student, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, was fatally shot by a police officer. 



Although many streets in the center are reserved for pedestrians, it's typical for a delivery bike to pass by.



 A window on an old-boarded up home. What I find fascinating about some old homes is that they seem fairly compressed. I feel so tall standing next to them!




Kosta in  front of a traditional Greek home. You can see that it's actually adjoined to the apartment building next to it.




 This is the back of the home.



A nativity scene in the center.



During the summer months these pedestrian thoroughfares are filled with tables and bustling with action.




And finally, me in front of Kozani's clock tower. I have taken numerous photos of the clock tower over the span of 20 years but have very few, if any, informal ones. This tower also serves as a background for many of our wedding and baptism photos.







11 comments:

  1. you have found beautiful corners of kozani. well done

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  2. Vaggelis...
    Thank you. Have a wonderful day :)

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  3. Hi Cheryl,

    I came across your blog a few months ago and I now enjoy it regularly :)

    The last picture you have with the clock tower I found particularly interesting. It reminded me of my hometown of Ioannina (which I have not seen in a year now) that has a clock tower in the center of town :) :) Alllow me to say that the Ioannina one is more beautifull :) :)

    But I really enjoyed the volta in Kozani today!!

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  4. Anonymous,

    Thank you for the compliment, I'm really glad that you enjoy my blog.
    I have never been to Ioannina but I have heard that it's beautiful and I can imagine the clock tower is as well.
    Have a wonderful evening.

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  5. Have never been to Kozani before. Maybe next summer we will head up North.

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  6. I particularly like the pictures of the traditional house. it looks very well kept. It's a shame that more of the old house here are not kept well pr restored. The out-dated rules make it difficult to restore many buildings considered 'monuments'.

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  7. The tour to Kozani is enjoyable. Very good shots Cheryl. Enjoy a great evening!

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  8. @ Ivy - Kozani is a great city with a lot to do. The countryside is beautiful as well. Let me know if you decide to come this way!

    @ Liz - Thank you Liz. I like the traditional house too, it's a shame that it can't stand on its own autonomous from the apartments! On my next visit I'll walk through some of the older neighborhoods that do take pride in preserving older buildings, to take pictures of course! :)

    @ Phivos- Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed the short tour...
    have a great Thursday~~ :)

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  9. So interesting to see photos of Kozani, thanks for giving us a mini tour! How different the "traditional house" is from those in Crete. I have always wanted to explore Northern Greece, maybe someday...

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  10. Hi Cheryl,
    Great pictures, it looks like a nice place to visit.
    Hope you and your family are well.
    Take care,
    Angela

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  11. @ Biddy - I'm glad that you like the photos-Kozani is a great city and as I may have mentioned, its countryside is beautiful. There's a lot to see in and around the city. I'm the opposite of you, I've always wanted to explore the islands of Greece. :)

    @ Angela-Thank you. It's nice and even nicer because it's loaded with friends and relatives so there's always someone to visit.
    We're all doing well, wishing the same to you and your family.
    :):):)

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