Gorgopotamos (Greek Γοργοπόταμος ( m. sg. ) ) Is a village in Fthiotida, Central Greece near the city of Lamia. It is known by the 1942 blown- partisan bridge, which was a sign of the Greek resistance.
Under the name Alpospita ( gr Αλπόσπητα (n. pl. )) Of the site in 1912 as a rural community ( kinotita ) was recognized, and in 1940 in Aleposita ( Αλεπόσπιτα ), 1985, finally renamed Gorgopotamos. In 1997, along with some incorporations to the survey township ( dimos ). On January 1, this community was incorporated after Lamia, where she has since formed a district.
- 4.1 monasteries
- 4.2 Attractions
Gorgopotamos is located only a few kilometers south of Lamia.
The community was named after the river that flows through the municipal area, as well as the famous railway bridge that crosses it. The river Gorgopotamos (of gorgos = fast and potamos = river ) from Mount Iti ( Οίτη ) at an altitude of 2,180 m. Through gorges and rocky bed he throws water- rich valley. It flows into the Sperchios. More streams and small lakes dominate the area and its flora.
Villages in present-day municipality of Gorgopotamos are the independent communities until 1997
- Dyo Vouna,
- Iraklia ( the ancient city Trachina )
- Neon Krikelo
The blowing up of the railway bridge
The blowing up of the railway bridge of Gorgopotamos in 1942 represents an event of national historic significance that the community Gorgopotamos gave an entry in the history books.
On November 25, 1942 overpowered 150 guerrillas of the leftist Greek Liberation Army, ELAS, led by Athanasios Klara, who became known under the code name Aris Velouchiotis, and another 60 partisans of the republican EDES under Napoleon Zervas guard the bridge and enabled as an English sabotage command under Captain Christopher Montague Woodhouse, to bring explosives and ignite ( Mission " Harling "). Two of the six pillars were destroyed. Even today, the two southern piers are replaced by a makeshift. By blowing up the railway from Thessaloniki to Athens was interrupted for 45 days and cut off the main supply route of the German Wehrmacht for the African campaign.
However, the blowing up of the bridge was especially a beacon for the massive Greek resistance against the German occupation. The main force of the guerrilla army, ELAS under Aris Velouchiotis, reached a strength of more than 120,000 men and brought the occupiers significant losses on.
Administration and policy
In elections, the vote share of the Conservative predominates: In the parliamentary elections of 2007, the New Democracy, the Socialist PASOK reached to 56.9 % ( 2004:57,5 %), 33.3 % ( 2004:37,7 % ), the right LAOS 3, 2 % ( 2004:1,3 %), the Communist KKE 2.9% ( 2004:2,2 % ), the left SYRIZA 2%.
- Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God ( Γενέθλιον της Θεοτόκου ) in 581 m height at Damasta on the northern slopes of the mountain Kallidromo. The monastery made a great contribution to the Revolt of 1821. The nave dates from the 11th century frescoes by 1818.
- Monastery Gorgoipikoou
- Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ ( Μεταμόρφωσης Σωτήρος ) at Gorgopotamos, built on the ruins of a once large and important monastery.
- Monastery of Panagia Proussis ( Παναγία η Βαρδάτα Προθσσιώτισσα ), situated on a rock in Vardates
- A memorial at the bridge is dedicated to the fighters, who in 1942 shot and killed six days after the attack.
- At an altitude of 800 m above Gorgopotamos the place Kangelogefirou there are several stone bridges and waterfalls, represent an attractive destination. Worked here from 1907 to 1945, a power generation and chemical plant. The ducted by dams, canals and pipes water power was used for the generation of electricity; with the acetylene is generated, the time has played a major role in the lighting.
- On the slope of the mountain above the picturesque village Kallidromo Eleftherochori is situated at an altitude of 850 meters, surrounded by a pine forest small lake with walking trails and an unlimited view of the surrounding mountains and the golf Maliakischen.
- Nature reserve Iti - Pavliani on the slopes of Iti with pine forests, churches and the castle of Iraklia, with the refuge Agria Zoi at Mount Iti, the Asopus and Vathirema Gorge. Hillside Iti especially the bridges of Papadia are (the largest Mountain Bridge of Greece ) and the Asopus important.
- Additional facilities at Damasta the healing springs of Psoroneri.
- In the standing and flowing waters of Gorgopotamos the endemic species " Ellinopygosteos " ( Greek nine-spined stickleback, pungitius hellenicus ) is native.