Kalpaki 1940–41 War Museum
Outside the village of Kalpaki on the western edge of Zagori is a site remembered for its morale-boosting role in World War II. The outnumbered Greeks pushed back the Italians (invading from Albania) in the November 1940 Battle of Kalpaki (Elaias), thus handing the Allies their first major land victory. A statue of a caped soldier stands on a hilltop; the museum is at the village's south entrance by the roadside. The word "oxi" (meaning "no") is inscribed on a monument across the street, commemorating the locals' reply to Italy's ultimatum on October 28, 1940, to occupy Greece. Artifacts displayed includes posters, weapons, clothing articles, photos depicting Italian soldiers relaxing with a sheep mascot and local women helping to build a bridge, and a British sketch referring to that other famous battle at Thermopylae, wherein Spartans in armor lean out of a "Greek Heroes" pediment to give a hand to their modern-day counterparts.
Outside the village of Kalpaki on the western edge of Zagori is a site remembered for its morale-boosting role in World War II. The outnumbered Greeks pushed back the Italians (invading from Albania) in the November 1940 Battle of Kalpaki (Elaias), thus handing the Allies their first major land victory. A statue of a caped soldier stands on a hilltop; the museum is at the village's south entrance by the roadside. The word "oxi" (meaning "no") is inscribed on a monument across the street, commemorating the locals' reply to Italy's ultimatum on October 28, 1940, to occupy Greece. Artifacts displayed includes posters, weapons, clothing articles, photos depicting Italian soldiers relaxing with a sheep mascot and local women helping to build a bridge, and a British sketch referring to that other famous battle at Thermopylae, wherein Spartans in armor lean out of a "Greek Heroes" pediment to give a hand to their modern-day counterparts.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
