Fabrika near Stenies on Andros

The very fascinating factory building Fabrika near the village of Stenies is a must if you are interested in deserted houses and abandoned factories. When we heard about about Fabrika, we were a bit skeptical, even though we like abandoned houses. Could the old factory really be something to see? Was everything we were told true? The answer was yes! It was so cool that we dropped our jaws, and we had a hard time leaving the place. Our minds were spinning and we truly felt the wings of history. After a few hundred pictures, we felt satisfied. Fabrika is one of the most interesting sights in the Cyclades, if you ask us. But maybe we are the only ones who think so. :-)

The village of Stenies and the old pasta factory Fabrika at the bottom of the picture.

The factory has long been abandoned and nature has taken over the building.

So what was Fabrika? It was a pasta factory that was founded in the mid-19th century and was in operation until well into the 1930s. In fact, it was the largest pasta factory in all of Greece, some say it was the largest in all of the Balkans. The factory was founded by the Embirikos family, one of the most prominent shipping families on Andros. The factory closed in 1936, probably due to competition from newer pasta factories. It is said that the building was destroyed in a fire about ten years later.

The pasta factory was founded in the mid-19th century and was operational until well into the 1930s.

Pasta, as you know, is made from wheat, and the wheat harvests came mainly from the agricultural areas of Andros, especially from villages in fertile valleys. Andros had a relatively abundant water flow at that time, which made it possible to grow grain. The wheat was transported to the port of Gialia, which is located below Stenies, and then dragged up by donkeys to the factory.

Pithara Waterfalls whose waters powered the waterwheel in Fabrika.

The factory was water-powered and the water came from the Pithara Waterfalls near Stenies. The wheat was ground by large stones that were driven by watermills. The building is four stories high and very impressive. The factory was not only functional, it was also architecturally remarkable. Unfortunately, I do not know how many people worked here. I would love to go back in time and see what it was like when the factory was in operation.

Here are some pictures from this amazing building

The large water wheel that powered the wheat mills in the pasta factory.

The huge wheat mills.

Parts of the amazing construction in the factory.

Close-up picture of some of the wheels that powered the factory.

It is a real pleasure to stroll around the old building.

Nature has today taken over large parts of the building.

The factory was, and still is, four stories high and very impressive.

Lizards are the only ones working in Fabrika today.

Is Fabrika worth visiting? Yes, I think so! Not least because the whole area is interesting. The nice village of Stenies is close by, the area is very leafy and the vegetation is lush, Pithara Waterfalls is a must when you are on Andros, several nice hiking trails pass the factory, and last but not least, it is not far to Gialia beach where a refreshing swim awaits.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE AREA

Don't miss the interesting village of Stenies, which you can read about here »

Read more about Andros here »