Konstantinos Lagoumitzis
Encyclopedia
Konstantinos Lagoumitzis was a Greek
revolutionary during the War of Greek Independence (1821–1830), famous for his ability to dig underground tunnels during sieges.
Lagoumitzis was born in the village of Hormovo, near Tepelene in modern Albania
, then Ottoman Empire
. His real name was Dalaropoulos (Νταλαρόπουλος), but he was also called Hormovitis (Χορμοβίτης; from Hormovo), however he is mainly known as Lagoumitzis (sapper) due to his successful ability to dig underground tunnels ( Lagoumia) beneath the camps of enemies and blow them up.
His successes during the Siege of Messolonghi
, and the Siege of Acropolis (1826), made him famous. During this last siege, Lagoumitzis saved Acropolis
and the surrounding monuments, successfully dealing with plans of the Turkish besiegers on setting explosives and blowing up the ancient monuments.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
revolutionary during the War of Greek Independence (1821–1830), famous for his ability to dig underground tunnels during sieges.
Lagoumitzis was born in the village of Hormovo, near Tepelene in modern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, then Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. His real name was Dalaropoulos (Νταλαρόπουλος), but he was also called Hormovitis (Χορμοβίτης; from Hormovo), however he is mainly known as Lagoumitzis (sapper) due to his successful ability to dig underground tunnels ( Lagoumia) beneath the camps of enemies and blow them up.
His successes during the Siege of Messolonghi
Siege of Messolonghi
The Siege of Missolonghi may refer to one of three different sieges of the town of Missolonghi during the Greek War of Independence:* The First Siege of Missolonghi * The Second Siege of Missolonghi...
, and the Siege of Acropolis (1826), made him famous. During this last siege, Lagoumitzis saved Acropolis
Acropolis
Acropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
and the surrounding monuments, successfully dealing with plans of the Turkish besiegers on setting explosives and blowing up the ancient monuments.
Sources
- Athens Alive, Or, The Practical Tourist's Companion to the Fall of Man. Kevin Andrews. Hermes, 1979.
- Makrigiannis' memoirs (in Greek).