Digital monument guide
Galatis Landing Place
In the Bisti area, near the place known as Galatis Landingor Skaviza e Galiotos, Nikolaos Galatis was assassinated in November 1819, according to historical tradition and contemporary sources. Galatis was one of the earliest and most active members of the Filiki Etaireia (Society of Friends). His assassination remains one of the most controversial episodes of Greece\'s pre-revolutionary history. Today, no visible traces of the murder survive, yet the site remains a place of historical remembrance. Visitors can stroll through the pine-covered Bisti peninsula, enjoy the beautiful views over the Argolic Gulf, and visit the small square with its contemporary works of art, located opposite the place that local tradition identifies as "Galatis' Landing" (Skaviza e Galiotos).
The story of the monument
Πού φονεύθηκε ο Γαλάτης;
At Bisti in Ermioni, according to historical tradition and contemporary sources, Nikolaos Galatis was assassinated in November 1819. He was one of the earliest and most active members of the Filiki Etaireia (Society of Friends), a secret organisation that was preparing the Greeks to rise up against Ottoman rule.
Galatis was born on the island of Ithaca. He was well educated and exceptionally skilled in public relations. Thanks to his enthusiasm and eloquence, he initiated many prominent individuals into the Filiki Etaireia and made a significant contribution to the spread of the organisation. However, his impulsive character, lack of discretion, and repeated breaches of the rules of secrecy caused growing concern among the leaders of the Society.
In 1819, the leaders of the Filiki Etaireia decided that Galatis had to be eliminated. Under the pretext of a journey to Mani, he travelled together with other members of the Society. When the group arrived in Ermioni, they visited the Bisti peninsula to see the ancient ruins. There, Dimitrakopoulos shot him twice. According to contemporary accounts, Galatis managed to utter the following words before he died:
Νίκος Γαλάτης«Αχ! Μ’ εφάγατε! Τι σας έκαμα;»
According to local tradition, Galatis remained alive for about 45 minutes before succumbing to his wounds.
His execution remains one of the most controversial episodes in the history of the Filiki Etaireia. Some historians consider it a necessary act to protect the great secret of the forthcoming Revolution, while others believe that Galatis became the victim of excessive fears and internal rivalries within the Society. Even today, the incident continues to provoke debate among historians.
The place where Galatis and the other members of the Filiki Etaireia came ashore became known as “Galatis’ Landing” (locally called Skaviza e Galiotos). According to tradition, it is located a short distance from Bisti. There are no visible historical remains to observe at this site. However, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sea view and the small square with contemporary works of art, situated directly in front of the place traditionally identified as Galatis’ Landing.
This site is also associated with a theatrical performance presented in 2019 by local amateur actors and volunteers. The video below depicts both the planning of Galatis’ execution in Constantinople (1818) and his tragic death in Ermioni (1819).
The excerpt is taken from the historical drama Nikolaos Galatis by Spyros Evangelatos, performed in Ermioni in March 2019 in an adaptation by Tina Antonopoulou and directed by Dimitris Sideris, in collaboration with ILME and THOE. The cast includes the amateur actors: Giorgos Leventis (Galatis), Iro Sardeli (Inogetni), Thanasis Patsios (Xanthos), Panagiotis Dermatas (Tsakalov), Kostas Pentedekas (Dimitropoulos), and Manolis Skourtis (Captain Leivadas).