Mural

Nafplio, also known as Anapli, was the heart of the Revolution for many years. It was handed over to Kolokotronis in 1822 and turned into the headquarters of the Greek State, governed by I. A. Kapodistrias. The mural honours these two personalities whose names are inextricably tied to the history of the city.

Kardamyli of Messinia, headquarters of the West Mani Municipality, is a seaside village with exceptional natural beauty and rich with monuments and history. This is where Nikitaras swore in Petrobeys and where provisions and equipment came from Smirna, received by Nikitaras himself. The mural is dedicated to these two heroes of the Revolution.

Areopoli is a traditional and historical city, home to the Mavromichalis family. It became inextricably linked to the Revolution when, on 17^th March 1821, the flag of the revolution was blessed in the Church of the Taxiarchon in the presence of Petrobeys Mavromichalis. The mural honours the Revolution and the leadership of the people of Mani.

The small town of Nision played a leading role both in the Revolution and in the failed Orlov Revolt, for both of which it paid a high price. When Ibrahim cut down Messini’s olive trees in 1827 to force the locals to surrender to him, Kolokotronis wrote him a letter stating “The lifeless trees cannot turn against you, only people can turn against you… Even if you burn our trees, you can’t take away our soil”. The mural is inspired by the rivalry between these two men.

The castle-town of Monemvasia, known for its medieval fortress, was besieged at the end of March 1821 by locals from Mani and Tsakonia. It was surrendered to them on 23^rd July, 1821. The mural depicts the face of Alexandros Katakouzinos, a Greek, Russian-educated politician, prince and landowner, who was a member of the Society of Friends and confidant of Ipsilantis. Katakouzinos played an important role in the surrendering of the Monemvasia fortress.

The many-month long siege of Tripolitsa, formerly also known as Dropolitsa, was extremely significant for Kolokotronis and the Revolution. The fall of Tripolitsa, which was the most secure Ottoman region in Southern Greece, was crucial for the liberation of the Peloponnese. The mural in Klonatzidika pays homage to, as well as Kolokotronis, Panagiotis Kefalas, a fighter who went down in history for his fortifications and the siege of the city.

Pylos, also known as Navarino or Nioastro, is where the famous Battle of Navarino took place, concluding the defeat of the Ottomans with the destruction of their Ottoman-Egyptian fleet in the bay’s port in 1827. This monumental battle (the last in history to be fought between sailboats) marks the official moment when the Great Powers shifted their loyalty towards the Greeks. This is commemorated with a mural depicting “The victorious admirals, 1827”.

Kiparissia (Arkadia) was the epicenter of the Revolution in the Tryfilia province. The Protosyncellus of Kiparissia (Arkadia), Amvrosios Frantzis, played a leading role in the Revolution and was also a member of the Society of Friends. Other than being a pioneer of the fight for Independence, he was also the first historian of the Greek Revolution and wrote “The Epitome of the History of a Greece Reborn”. He is pictured in the Mural.