Meligalas

Meligalas (Greek: Μελιγαλάς) is a town and former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Oichalia, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 78.193 km2.[3] Population 2,785 (2021).

Meligalas
Μελιγαλάς
Meligalas is located in Greece
Meligalas
Meligalas
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 37°13′28″N 21°58′11″E / 37.22444°N 21.96972°E / 37.22444; 21.96972
CountryGreece
Administrative regionPeloponnese
Regional unitMessenia
MunicipalityOichalia
Area
 • Municipal unit78.2 km2 (30.2 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
2,785
 • Municipal unit density36/km2 (92/sq mi)
 • Community
1,228
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Vehicle registrationΚΜ

The town is known for the Battle of Meligalas, which took place on 13–15 September 1944 between the Greek Resistance forces of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) and the collaborationist Security Battalions. After the battle ELAS forces executed hundreds of Security Battalionists in an event that remains a point of reference and a rallying cry both for the far right and the left in Greece to this day.

References