On August 30, 1943, in the small mountain village of Kastania in western Samos, the fascist forces of the Italian occupation of the island mass-executed 27 villagers who heroically resisted the occupiers. According to the testimonies of the survivors, the occupation forces gathered them (along with 17 others from the neighbouring villages) in a clearing and executed them. The youngest of the executed was only 15 years old and their blood turned the small village stream red.

“Place of Martyrdom” is an official, honorary designation by the state of an area in recognition of the sacrifice of its residents. For Kastania, Samos, the request was sent to Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios, who activated the relevant advisory committee that made the decision. The MP for Samos with the New Republic, Professor Christodoulos Stephanadis, in a statement on the occasion of the recognition, said among other things the following:

“After 81 years at last, our country and the present government has recognized the village of Kastania as a ‘Place of Martyrdom’. In today’s era, the neighbors have invented the so-called ‘Blue Homeland’ and claim the islands of the East Aegean in a blatant, unjustifiable way and against international treaties and international law. Perhaps in any adventurous attempt they may dream of, they should learn beforehand about the sacrifice of Kastania. And in particular, as far as Samos is concerned, they should learn about the victorious struggles of the island’s inhabitants against the Ottoman Empire”.