Close view of Harmena -the tannerers neighbourhood- at nightfall, found in Amfissa old city, in Fokida region, Central Greece
The famous neighbourhood of Harmena, has been for many centuries, the area where the curing of leather took place (Tambakika or Tambakaria). Harmena is situated approx. 500 meters south of the historic castle of Amfissa, and the famous Byzantine church of our Saviour (11th ) is situated 500 meters west of it. The leather curing craft existed in Amfissa prior to 1600 as it was mentioned by the English traveller Dodwell, who, passing through Amfissa, admired the curing of the coloured leather skins, much in demand throughout Greece and in other countries. The curing of the skins (mainly goats) was achieved with the use of plenty of running water from the spring of Harmena. It was believed this running water was responsible for bringing out the characteristic resistant fading and shiny yellow colour. The process was all done by hand. The curing was done with the use of natural products and the tanning was mainly done by using acorns and coloured seeds. This technique made the leather extremely resistant and easy to print or engrave gold letters on it, very useful in book-binding, parchments, making handbags etc. The craft was in its heyday between the first and thw second world war, whilst after the demand for natural leather gradually declined, due to the introduction of plastics. Today only three or four tanneries are still operative, struggling to preserve their old methods amidst the developments of modern life. The neighbourhood of Harmena however continues to attract the admiration of locals and tourists. Since 1989, forty two buildings in Harmena (old tanneries) were put under preservation order. Four of them belonged to the municipality of Amfissa and the rest to the families of old tannerers. In those days, legends of ghosts were unshakably believed in and people were convinced that these spirits belonged to deceased persons. One of the most famous is the ghost of Harmena which loved and protected the tannerers, but provoked fear in other people
Size: 7360px × 4912px
Location: Harmena neighbourhood in Amfissa city in Fokida prefecture, Central Greece, Europe, Mediterranean
Photo credit: © GERMAINE ALEXAKIS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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