“Remember, pass with reverence.” Those are the words of Giannis Ritsos about Kalogreza. This area carries a weight of history. Kalogreza stands as a testament to resilience and resistance. It is located in Nea Ionia north of Athens. Kalogreza became a stronghold of resistance during the German occupation.
In Kalogreza, tragedy struck on March 15 1944. About 500 gendarmes raided the area at dawn. Residents were awakened by loudspeakers. Men were ordered to the central square. Gendarmes searched houses with orders to shoot anyone hiding. Thousands gathered in the cold morning light. Informants identified EAM sympathizers. The gendarmes arrested 300 men comparing IDs with lists. Twenty-two men were executed by the Podonifti river. About 150 were taken to the Chaidari concentration camp. Many were deported for forced labor in Germany on May 25 1944.
Kalogreza’s story is also intertwined with industry. The Kalogreza railway station was once the northernmost station of the Piraeus Athens and Peloponnese Railways. It was built to support lignite production. Trucks transported lignite from Kalogreza. The station opened after 1944. It closed in 1957. The line connected to the Athens–Lavrion Railway. Transportation ran between Heraklio and Chalakdri.
Today a memorial stands on Ethnikís Antístaseos. It honors the 22 executed men. Giannis Ritsos immortalized Kalogreza in verse. His words remind us of the sacrifices made for freedom. Kalogreza saw young men fall for liberty.
Visiting Kalogreza offers a chance for reflection. We must honor the past. We recognize the spirit of resistance. It is a place where history and memory converge.