10 EURO PROOF GREECE MARTYRED VILLAGES AND TOWNS

Περιγραφή

During World War II and the triple occupation of the country (German, Italian, and Bulgarian), Greece paid an exceptionally heavy price, losing approximately 10% of its population either in armed conflict, through famine and malnutrition, or due to the execution of civilians. The indomitable spirit and steadfast resistance of the Greek people against fascist occupation provoked severe reprisals by the occupying forces, who destroyed around 1,700 settlements for the actions of the National Resistance, carrying out mass executions, arson of homes, and looting. Massacres such as those of Distomo (Central Greece), Kalavryta (Peloponnese), Kommeno (Epirus), Doxato (Macedonia), and Viannos (Crete) rank among the greatest atrocities committed during World War II. In the Bulgarian occupation zone, persecutions took the form of ethnic cleansing, as they aimed at the violent Bulgarization of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The martyred villages and cities of Greece are officially recognized by Presidential Decree and participate in the network bearing the same name, which today includes 131 members.