Within the imposing walls of Korydallos Prison, a chilling history unfolds. Korydallos Prison isn’t just Greece’s largest jail. It’s a stark reflection of the nation’s turbulent past and present. Located in Piraeus, Korydallos has housed a diverse array of inmates. From members of the 1970s military junta to left-wing guerrillas and even neo-Nazi leaders, the prison walls have witnessed a parade of figures who shaped modern Greece. Korydallos Prison even played a key role in Greek history. The trials of the junta members took place right here in 1975, in a special courtroom located in the prison’s basement. The prison’s history is marked by moments of intense drama. In 1995, a massive riot erupted, giving inmates control for several days. This wasn’t an isolated incident. A similar takeover occurred in 1990, lasting a staggering 28 days. These uprisings weren’t just about prison conditions. They were about demands for criminal justice reform. Korydallos has also been the target of politically motivated attacks. A bomb exploded outside the prison in 2010, and in 2013, a bomb was discovered under the prison governor’s car. The infamous “Greek Robin Hood,” Vasilis Paleokostas, made Korydallos even more notorious. He executed two daring escapes using a hijacked helicopter, once in 2006 and again in 2009. His audacious acts exposed vulnerabilities within the supposedly “most secure” prison in Greece. The prison also housed Dimitris Koufontinas, a member of the Revolutionary Organization 17 November. His 66-day hunger strike in 2021, demanding a transfer to Korydallos, sparked nationwide demonstrations and acts of vandalism. Korydallos Prison remains a complex and controversial institution. It is a place where infamous figures and desperate individuals collide. The stories within its walls offer a glimpse into the darker side of Greece’s narrative. Korydallos is more than just a prison. It’s a microcosm of Greece’s struggles with political extremism, social unrest, and the human cost of incarceration.
Municipality of Zografos
Seven thousand inhabitants. That’s how many people called Zografou home a century ago. Can you imagine the quiet hills then?