Galaxidi in the War of Independence 1821 – 1829

People from Galaxidi were initiated early into the revolutionary “Friendly Society” (Philikí Etairía) and of the first to hoist the flag of Liberty in mainland Greece on May 27, 1821. They contributed militarily to the War of Independence but most importantly, with their armed boats they secured safe passage of Greek ships in the Corinthian Gulf.

Because of this, Galaxidi was destroyed by the Turks three times: on September 23, 1821 (the worst attack), in May 1825, and in November 1825 when the people were forced to shelter on the coast of Corinth and elsewhere.

Ilias G. Mitropoulos, from Galaxidi, offered invaluable services at the siege of the Acropolis in Athens by the Turks. Knowing the language of and dressed as an Albanian, he managed to pass the Turkish guards and bring letters of the besieged out of the Acropolis. For this he was called “pigeon”. After the liberation, he was awarded a silver medal.

The Museum exhibits part of an important collection of military and naval guns used by local fighters in the War of Independence.

Lithograph, from the album of Louis Dupré, which shows the chieftain from Galaxidi, Ioannis D. Mitropoulos, hoisting the flag of Liberty at the castle of Salona (Amphissa) after it was taken by the Greeks at Easter on 10 April, 1821.