A path full of history, leading from Patras to Kalavryta, is connected to Revolution of 1821 starring captains and chieftains who acted in the area.
As he says, speaking to the Athenian – Macedonian News Agency, the member of the “United Rome” Patras Constantine Constantinos, “The Path is called ‘Old Patras’ Germany’, because during the period of the Revolution of 1821, Standing the Holy Monastery of Makellaria. “
This historical trail, according to Constantine Constantakopoulos, “starts from the Petrotos area of Patras and passes through the areas of Ano Petrotos (Valatouna), Squadron (Zubatochoria), Demestha, Vetaika, Leontio, Leontios
Regarding the historical events that took place during the revolution in the areas, where the trail passes, these are, among other things, as Konstantinos Constantakopoulos states, “The victorious battle of Saravali in 1822 And the Battle of Kafkaria in 1827, where the Greeks put strong resistance to the troops of Ibrahim Pasha and eventually managed to beat them. “
Also, as he adds, ‘Along the way there is the Valatuna area where it was there Greek campwhile in the area of Zubata there is the bust of Metropolitan Derkas, Gregory, who was born in the homonymous village of about 1750 and hanged by the Turks in June 1821. “
It also states that “in the Demestha area there was one of the three camps of the Patras siege in 1824”.
In particular, the newsletter of “Greek Rome” is mentioned, inter alia, the following for historical events:
The battle of Saravali
Theodore Kolokotronis, who campaigned for Patras in February 1822, had installed his head in Saravali.
In the early morning of March 9, 1822, the 12,000 Turkish horsemen and pedestrians poured out of the Patras Castle and swept the Greek resistors, remaining in Greek hands only by the Nursing Home and its nearby Linos Sait Aga. There in Lino successfully defended the Turkish attacks Brave kolokotronis (son of Theodoros Kolokotronis) and other mainly Arcades and Illyian warriors, for 3,000 Turks, so that the Turks do not understand either the lunatic, nor the nearby nursing home.
The same battle of the Nursing Home is also linked to the old village of Paleopyrgos, which has been mentioned since 1770 and was in the plain, on the road to Saravali.
In the tower there (no longer saved), Kalavrytin and cypress fighters were fortified, as well as Achaeans under Evangelos Koumaniotis. The Turks failed to deprive Paleopyrgos and from there began the Greek counterattack, which had the stamp of Theodoros Kolokotronis.
In Balatuna
In the village of Valatounas, located near Patras and is now called Petrotos, the Greek camp of the siege of Patras was located with Ioannis Sisini in 1821. “
Metropolitan of Dercus
Metropolitan of Derkos, Gregory, was the leading Zubatiotis.
He was born around 1750 in Zubata. The Turks, admiring both his great abilities and his intelligence, called him Morali -Seitan, that is, the Peloponnese Satan. He lived as a monk in the Monastery of Agios Athanasios (located in Filia Kalavryton) and at the Monastery of Taxiarches in Aigio.
Just 27 years old, in 1777, became Metropolitan of Lakedaimon developing great action.
The same thing happened when he served in the Metropolis of Vidyne in Bulgaria. From 1801 to 1821 he was Metropolitan of Derkas, a small town of Constantinople, and was initiated by the first to the Friendly Society.
Finally, on June 3, 1821, Gregory Derkon was hanged after first blessing the loop of his hanger, along with the Metropolitans of Thessaloniki Joseph, Tyrnovo Ioannikio, Adrianople Dorotheos.
In his hometown he has already been promoted by the Patras Cultural Association of Patras “Death” and the Metropolis of Patras, a bust of Gregory.
In July 2021 the Church of Greece, on the recommendation of the Holy Synod, decided to be sacred.
In demeshthas
In September 1821, Zaimis and Charalambis met in Demestiha. He was one of the three camps of the Patras siege in 1824, led by Zaim, Notaras and Londo.
In 1827 they met there before the Battle of Kafkaria, the generals Dim. Plaputas, Andr. London, Ben. Roffos, N. Petimezas.
In Leontio
Near Leontius there was an inn (Hani) at Ai-John. According to historical sources there, the old Patras Germanos stayed overnight at the end of February 1821 during his transition to Kalavryta, in order to consult with the priests and decide whether to respond to Mora Valesse’s invitation to come to Tripoli immediately to Tripoli, Turks of Moria.
There, the German pretended to be sick and chill in order to delay his transition to Tripoli.
In Leontius, one of the three camps of Achaia was created in 1824 with their leaders Panos and Gennaios Kolokotronis.
The Battle of Kafkaria
Further south of Leontio lies the Village of Lapanags and the neighboring area of Kafkaria.
On the ridge of Kafkaria, the Greeks were chosen to defend the Egyptian Ibrahim Pasha.
The leader of the about 2,000 Greeks was D. Plapoutas, and with him were D. Meletopoulos, N. Petmezas, Fitzopoulos, Rodopoulos and Chr. Photomara with 100 Souliots.
The battle took place on August 26 and 27, 1827, and despite the rushing attacks of the Turks, the Greeks resisted their weapons, but also with large stones and rocks rolling towards the attack of the attacking Turks, resulting in the latter because of their significant losses.
The Greek victory in the battle of Kafkaria forced Ibrahim to return to Gastouni, resulting in the relief of the Greek populations hiding in the surrounding mountains.
Actions to highlight the historical trail
In the meantime, as Konstantinos Constantakopoulos notes, “the ‘united Rome’ association, Patras, highlighted this historical path, in all its aspects, organizing an event in 2021 entitled ‘Hikima Hikima’ Hikima Pathi ‘
As he adds, “The event includes three standard hiking trails in parts of the historic trail (Petrotos – Squadron / Demestha – IM Makellaria and Kalavryta – IM Makellaria), speeches by historians, hymns. with exhibits (flora, rocks, photographic material, etc.) from Geopark Helmos – Vouraikosthe Panachaic Mountain and other neighboring areas. “
He also states that “the event is supported by more than 25 bodies while involved in hundreds of hikers and visitors who live the unique experience of nature and know the historical -cultural heritage of our region.” Still, according to Constantine Constantakopoulos, who is a biologist -environmentalist, the Directorate of Environment of the Municipality of Patras, “along the route of the historical path highlight the natural beauty and important ecosystems”.
As he explains, the first part of the route belongs to the wider protected Natura 2000 Mount Panachaikos – (place of Community importance), with a total area of 127,220 acres.
The second part of the route belongs to the wider Natura 2000 “Barbas Mountains and Clock, Selinunda Gorge” (SPA Special Protection Zone) and an area of 157,050 acres.
In addition, the first part of the hiking route of ‘Old Patras Germanos’, from the Gate of Achaia Clauss to the settlement of Ano Petrotos (Valatounas), is part of the national trail 31 and has a total length of 5,830 meters.
At the same time, the trail passes through the fir forest of Thanas and next to the springs of the Glafkos River, followed by a distinct riverside forest of the Selinounda River.
Always hiking on the riverside trail, after 1,186 meters, a new branch of the Selinounda River contributes and then enters the rocky formation of Gerakovouni.
Finally, through Kaniska’s Drondoose the trail ends in Kalavryta.
Source: RES-EIA