Once the bustling center of Greece’s rope-making industry, this abandoned factory now serves as a haunting reminder of a past era. Walking inside, you encounter 20th-century machinery left to rust in the dim light. Layers of dust and grime cover the tools, creating a sense of melancholy and lost significance. The silent halls echo with the story of a time when these machines were crucial, their importance now faded into mere shadows of their former glory.
Kanavourgio, once the largest rope and twine production plant in Greece, has a rich history. Founded in 1908 and beginning operations in 1913, it utilized the power of local waterfalls to drive its mills. Every day, a dedicated team of around 100 workers transformed imported cannabis from India and hemp from Serbia and Greece into durable rope and twine. The plant stood as a symbol of innovation and industry, playing a vital role in Greece’s industrial landscape.
Kanavourgio’s factory thrived between 1928 and 1940, employing around 150 workers, many of them young women from nearby villages. However, after 1950, the factory’s fortunes declined, leading to its closure in 1966.
In the late ’90s, there was a brief revival. The building was partially renovated and repurposed as a restaurant and leisure center, later becoming an event center and museum. Unfortunately, these ventures ended in 2014 due to lack of support. Now, the once bustling factory stands abandoned, a lingering ghost of the area’s industrial heyday.
