Statue of Staikos Staikopoulos

The ‘Conqueror of Palamidi’

A merchant from the mountainous region of Arkadia, Staikos Staikopoulos (1799-1835) in 1818 joined the Philiki Etairia (‘Society of Friends’), the secret organization which had been founded for the purpose of coordinating the struggle of the Greeks against Ottoman domination. Staikopoulos has remained in history as ‘The Conqueror of Palamidi’, since at dawn of 29th November 1822, together with Dimitrios Moschonisiotis, seized control of Palamidi Fort from the Ottomans. He died impoverished and in ill health in Nafplio in 1835. 

What are the characteristics of the sculpture?

The sculpture is made from white marble. The hero is depicted with a moustache and long hair, and wearing a fez (hat of the period), which confines his hair to the back of the statue. He is wearing a shirt, vest, and ‘foustanela’ (traditional pleated skirt-like garment), while at his waist, his attire is completed with a selahi, a leather belt that was used as a weapon holster, and which here holds a sword and a pistol. In his left hand he holds a ‘yatagani’, i.e., a type of Ottoman long knife which was commonly used by the Greek fighters in the Revolution of 1821. His head is slightly turned towards the right, while the right foot is extended in the same direction, likely as an attempt by the sculptor to conceal the column which supports the statue.

When was the work commissioned and installed?

The marble statue of Staikos Staikopoulos was created by the sculptor Nikola (Nikolaos Paraskeuopoulos) in 1966 with grants from Zacharoula Papamarkou, great-granddaughter of the hero, and gifted to the Municipality of Nafplio. The unveiling ceremony of the monument was in 1971. Every year, on 30 November, the feast day of Agios Andreas, celebratory events are held and memorial wreaths are placed at the statue of Staikos Staikopoulos.