Bust of Kapetan-Hapsas
Bust of Kapetan-Hapsas
In honor of the Halkidiki hero of the Greek War of Independence.
The bust of Kapetan-Hapsas, created by sculptor Giorgos Tsaras, is located at the exit of Thessaloniki towards Halkidiki, near the Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs. This significant monument commemorates the hero from Halkidiki, who was born in Kryopigi and is closely associated with the area of Sykea.
Kapetan-Hapsas served as a klepht (bandit) in the mountains of Sithonia and Kassandra and became known as a gendarme in the Mount Athos community. With the arrival of Emmanouil Pappas, he actively participated in the liberation of Macedonia, leading one of the two Halkidiki units towards Therma. There, he won several battles, but the freedom of Thessaloniki had not yet been achieved. Hapsas, renowned for his success against the Turks, stayed behind in battle to cover the retreat of civilians and ultimately fell on the battlefield in June 1821, along with sixty-seven of his comrades.
The bust depicts Kapetan-Hapsas with his gaze directed to the left, looking towards the site of his sacrifice. At the base of the bust, the hero's details are inscribed, and a metal plaque commemorates the unveiling of the bust on June 18, 2006.
The placement of the monument at the city’s entrance holds particular symbolism, suggesting that from this point Hapsas would have entered Thessaloniki as its liberator.
