Zygi Carob Factories and Storages

Location

Zygi, Cyprus

34.43567, 33.20115

Author

Unknown

Architect

Built in

1945

Carob cultivation was very important for the economy of the island; it was the main source of income of the rural areas of Larnaca and Limassol. Carobs are deeply ingrained in Cyprus culture and history; they are often described as the Black Gold of Cyprus.

The seaside village of Zygi, at least in its present form, was built in the early years of British rule in Cyprus, in 1870. Due to its seaside location, offering easy access to the pier, large warehouses were built to mill and store carobs nearby so the product could be loaded onto ships for export. The architecturally interesting large stone-built warehouses, built in the Colonial style, still exist today and dominate the central and seaside area of ​​the village.

Carob cultivation was very important for the economy of the island; it was the main source of income of the rural areas of Larnaca and Limassol. Carobs are deeply ingrained in Cyprus culture and history; they are often described as the Black Gold of Cyprus.

Over the years, as the demand for carobs started to decline the residents of the village started to decrease. Today, there is only the one remaining carob gathering and processing company, the Larnaca Cooperative Association of Carob Ltd, which, in addition to carob milling, also processes cereals and almonds for the wider region.

Researcher Elia Neophytou

Function

1945Carob factory and storage facility

2018 Most of the warehouses are closed, only one building is still working

Ownership

1945 British 1960-1970

2018 1960 private owners and cooperation bank

Condition

1945 Good

2018 Poor

Property Management

1945

2018

Form of government

1945 Colonial Government (British Empire)

2018 Presidential Republic (Republic of Cyprus)

Spatial Planning Agency

1945

2018 Ministry of Interior

Type of heritage and protection

1945 Not recognised as heritage

2018 Not recognised as heritage

Interview with Michalis

Local

Transcription
Here carobs were processed and milled. After were added into sacks and with barges were taken to ship to be loaded and exported. The buildings had to be large to be able to store carobs or install the machinery. In those days the whole economy of Cyprus was based on carobs and vines.