Peristera Kraka (1860 – 1938)

Peristera Kraka (1860 – 1938)

From Siatista, Kozani in western Macedonia, she was a fighter and a leader during the Macedonian Revolution of 1878.

After the Turks and Russians conspired together at the Treaty of San Stefano, to hand over historic Greek lands to the Bulgarians creating a “Greater Bulgaria”, Greeks in Macedonia rose up in revolution.

Peristera Kraka’s older brother at first forbade her from joining the fighting, but after being captured for interrogation by the Turks and then later escaping, she joined her brother’s force, where she soon won their respect.

After her brother was killed in action, she was unanimously proclaimed leader of his armed force.

Using the nom-de-guerre – Kapetan Spanovangelis – for the next 6 months she fought throughout the Kozani and Kastoria areas of Macedonia and also managed to track down her brother’s killers and avenged his death

The 6 month conflict did not result with the liberation of Macedonia, but what it did do, was have the Treaty of San Stefano scrapped, with Greece’s position strengthened for the future. As within a little over 30 years, Macedonia would be liberated, free and re-united with Greece.

A statue was raised in her honour, in her native town of Siatista.