Fort Roupel is a fortress on the northern border of central Macedonia in Greece, built in 1914 because this place is of strategic importance for access to either Greek or Bulgarian territory. During World War I, on May 25, 1916, the Royal Greek Government of Athens allowed the fortress to be surrendered to the Germans and their Bulgarian allies as a counterweight to the Allied forces stationed in Thessaloniki. The German-Bulgarian troops then occupied most of East Macedonia without resistance.
The fortress also became famous during the Second World War, when the advance of the German armies on this section of the front was stopped here. On the eve of World War II, Fort Roupel was incorporated into the Metaxas Line, a new line of defenses built to repel an invasion of Greece by Bulgaria. For three days the fortress withstood the German attack and was only abandoned by its men after the surrender of the Greek army in Thessaloniki.
Today one of the galleries of the fortress is open to visitors, as well as a small museum and the pavilion for visitors, the observatory and the memorial to fallen soldiers. On the gallery, the visitor has the opportunity to relive the moments of the battle. In addition, parts of the 23-kilometer tunnel are accessible to visitors.
Translated by Google •
In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!