Monument of the Battle of Taratsa - Kamilovrysi
The Monument of the Battle of Taratsa in Kamilovrysi stands unyielding as a symbol of self-sacrifice and heroism in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. There, Captain Athanasios Tsaltakis, with a small group of Roumeliote Evzones, fortified themselves on the hills in an attempt to delay the Turkish advance. Tsaltakis and his men fell heroically, but they provided the necessary time for diplomacy to achieve a ceasefire. Every year, events of honor and remembrance for the fallen are held, and on the two marble plaques of the monument, you can find all the names of the heroes who fought selflessly to save the city of Lamia and halt the advance of the Turks.
Monument of the Battle of Taratsa - Kamilovrysi
The Monument of the Battle of Taratsa in Kamilovrysi, north of Lamia, on the slopes of Othrys, is a symbol of self-sacrifice and heroism of Athanasios Tsaltakis and his companions in the unfortunate Greco-Turkish War of 1897.
After the Greek Army's retreat from the battlefield of Domokos, it received orders to defensively occupy the position of Derven Furka. After fierce battles, they were forced to fall back towards Lamia, where the struggle continued in the Taratsa area the next day.
On the morning of May 7th, the vanguard of Ethem Pasha arrived near the Kamilovrysi and Taratsa region. Battles ensued, and the Turks eventually encamped. At that moment, Captain Tsaltakis, with a small detachment of Roumeliote Evzones, fortified himself on the hills in an attempt to delay the Turkish advance. Their action provided the necessary time for diplomacy to achieve a ceasefire, but Athanasios Tsaltakis and his men lost their lives in this endeavor. At the Kamilovrysi monument, on two marble plaques, you can read all the names of the heroes who lost their lives in the battle.
Meanwhile, then Prefect Konstantinos Eslin, holding a white flag, passed through the Ottoman lines and, amid dense gunfire, reached the headquarters of Ottoman commander Seyfullah Pasha. There he delivered an unofficial telegram for a ceasefire, dispersing the rumor that the war had ended. With this act, he calmed spirits and provided time for the official messages from the Sultan and the Tsar regarding the armistice to arrive.
Every year, in early May, memorial events are held to commemorate the heroism and self-sacrifice of the fallen, including a memorial service at the Holy Paraskevi Cemetery. The name of Athanasios Tsaltakis was given, as a sign of honor, to a camp on the eastern side of Lamia, while the name of Eslin was given to one of the central streets of the city.
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