Tuesday 7 July 2009

Mandouki's Olive Oil Factory (Corfu)

In Corfu, Mandouki’s little square and main thoroughfare have been “pedestrianised” and much improved. The square now provides a very superior parking place for residents and visitors!

The old Olive Oil Factory opposite the New Port is an absolute disgrace and a danger to public health. The high chimney towers dangerously over a kindergarten.

Rats inhabit the abandoned (but listed) buildings. Illegal immigrants squat there in the most sordid conditions. The roofs have collapsed, and yet the area is not properly fenced. It is a huge fire hazard (all the old factory files and archives are still rotting there). Last week I saw a moving video about the condition of the building. It is clear that the Corfiot authorities do not take their legacy of Industrial Archaeology very seriously. So much for the UNESCO World Heritage listing, which includes the old buildings of Mandouki. At one time this was one of the biggest olive oil factories in Greece, and produced the highest quality of oil. Very sad.