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Psara
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 Psara is a small island close to the northwestern part of Chios. The birthplace of revolutionary war hero Admiral Kanaris, as well as of other significant heroes of the war of Independence like Apostolis, Nicodemus and Vratsanos, Psara devoted its merchant fleets -the third largest in 1820s Greece after those of Hydra and Spetses -to the cause of independence, and paid dearly for it. Vexed beyond endurance, the Turks landed overwhelming forces in 1824 to stamp out this nest of resistance. Perhaps 3000 of the 30,000 inhabitants escaped in small boats which were rescued by a French fleet, but the majority retreated to a hilltop powder magazine and blew it (and themselves) up rather than surrender. |
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 The nationalist poet Dhionysios Solomos immortalized the incident in famous stanzas:
On the Black Ridge of PsarU,
Glory walks alone.
She meditates on her heroes
And wears in her hair a wreath
Made from a few dry weeds
Left on the barren ground.
Psara, means "the grey things" in Greek, never recovered from the holocaust. The Turks burned whatever houses and vegetation the blast had missed, and the permanent population barely exceeds four hundred. In modern times a 1980s revitalization project was instigated by a French-Greek descendant of Kanaris and a Greek team. |
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The port was improved, mains electricity and pure water provided, a secondary school opened and cu1tural links between France and the island established, though so far this has not been reflected in increased tourist numbers.  |
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 Also in the area...
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| Psara - Prehistoric Times, Psara - Ancient Times, Dormition of the Virgin at Psara |
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Date: Πέμπτη, 16 Οκτωβρίου 2008
emmanuel dimitri0u politis, orlando, fl. usa | | Comment: | the most heroic island in greece.Incredibly beautifull,most proud people,and best cousine. Agapimena mou psara, you are always in my heart. | - | Date: Σάββατο, 27 Οκτωβρίου 2007
Margarita Politis | | Comment: | Both of my parents are from psara as well I haven’t been there in 4 years but i miss it more than anything...my heart will always be there <3 | - | Date: Τετάρτη, 10 Οκτωβρίου 2007
niko marinos, new york, usa | | Comment: | psara is the greatest island with the most humble and friendly people. i should know both of my parents are from there and i hold a special place in my heart for this island it is truly one of greece hidden treasures | - |
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