Heroes Monument of Avgorou
The Heroes Monument of Avgorou (Mnimio Iroon Avgorou) in Cyprus occupies an area of 14,500 square meters and is one of the most important monuments of the area that was created in 1985, with the initiative of the fighters of EOKA 1955-59, of the Avgoros community.
The point where the Heroes Monument of Avgorou was erected is the place of sacrifice of Modestos Pantelis from Liopetri, the first fallen member of the organization of EOKA, who lost his life by electrocution in his attempt to cut off one of the high-voltage electrical cables that passed through that area.
As the visitor reaches the spot and after traveling along a narrow road with 111 tall cypress trees, he will see the six marble slabs that show various information about the monument, but also historical details regarding the island of Cyprus. Specifically, the first plaque refers to the creation of the monument, the second to the people involved in its creation, the third and the fourth make a historical retrospection of Cyprus from 6,020 BC. until 1974 AD. and the fifth and sixth plaques refer to the founding and unveiling of the monument by the then Finance Minister and later Governor of the Central Bank, Christodoulos Christodoulou.
Then, moving towards the main part, the bronze plates at the Heroes Monument of Avgorou report the details of the 238 fallen heroes of EOKA.
Inside the monument there are the figures of the heroes of the national liberation struggle of EOKA, some of which are depicted in bronze reliefs.
The chapel situated next to the Heroes Monument of Avgorou is dedicated to First Martyr Saint Stephen, the Apostle Andrew and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Modestos, in memory of the first martyr of the EOKA struggle, Modestos Pantelis. The chapel together with the monument symbolizes the coexistence of the Homeland with Religion.
EOKA was the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters, the secret Greek Cypriot organization that was active in the period 1955-1959 for the freedom of Cyprus from the British sovereignty and its union with Greece. The liberation struggle of EOKA started on 1 April 1955 with bomb explosions in the main cities of Cyprus and was completed in 1959, when Cyprus became an independent state.