A memorial ceremony was held on Monday 7th February at the Tower of Voukolies, on the 126th anniversary of a historic battle which took place there in 1897. The gathering was organised by the Metropolitan See of Kissamos and Selino, the Municipality of Platanias, the community of Voukolies, the local primary school and the Ladies’ and Young Women’s Association of Voukolies “I Merimna”.
The event began with a memorial service, followed by greetings, speeches about the events of the time, laying of wreaths and the singing of a rizitiko by the Rizitiko Group of Kallithea in the Municipality of Platanias.
Explaining the historical context of the Battle of Voukolies, local primary school teacher Niki Tsamouri said: “The Cretans were thirsting for freedom. Freedom and release from the unbearable Turkish yoke, which had oppressed them for centuries. The Revolution was an irreversible process which was leading to union with the now free Greece. The much longed-for revolution began here, on exactly this spot, 126 years ago on the 7th February 1897.”
In his words of greeting the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis stressed the importance of the heroic battle, which he said “should remain a living example of memory and education”. Regional councillor for health, education and culture Sofia Malandraki-Krasoudaki also emphasised the battle’s significance and the need to preserve its historic memory.
A historic event
The tower of Voukolies is situated about 1 km south west of the town on the road to Palaiochora. It was blown up by the victorious Cretans after the battle and only a few ruins remain, along with a modern reconstruction of the tower. It was one of a network of fortifications built by the Ottoman authorities in an effort to retain control of the island following the Great Cretan Revolution of 1866-69 – the third and largest in a series of Cretan revolts between the end of the Greek War of Independence in 1830 and the establishment of an independent Cretan State in 1898.
The circumstances are described in an account on the blog site “The British in Crete, 1896 to 1913”, which also contains some interesting information about the international geopolitical manoeuvres which formed a backdrop to the Cretan struggles for independence:
“On 13/14th February 1897, a Greek force of some 1500 men, complete with artillery, under the command of Colonel Timothy Vassos landed at Kolymbari and proceeded to declare the union of Crete with Greece. By 17th February the force had moved inland and, having established their headquarters in Alikianos, a mixed detachment under the command of Major Konstantinidis and including an artillery platoon and an engineer platoon, was ordered to Voukolies to capture the tower: also with the force were many Cretans and the company of students under the command of Captain Em. Zimvrakakidon.”
The battle between the besiegers and the garrison of some 400 Turks lasted a couple of days, the Cretans initially wasting their ammunition, according to the British account, and having to wait for reinforcements of ammunition and artillery before they could complete the job. At one point the Turks attempted a break-out and a large number of them escaped. While Greek sources talk of 240 Turks being killed, a contemporary British account is more circumspect, mentioning 35 Turks killed and 15-30 Cretans.
In conclusion the account says that although of minor military significance, the engagement proved to the Cretans that the Greeks were present in sufficient numbers and sufficiently well armed to expel the Ottomans and so provided an important boost to local morale. Indeed, following the intervention of the Great Powers, an independent Cretan State was declared in December of the following year.
(Report of the memorial event, Haniotika Nea 08-02-23)