Greece : GREEK STAMP
of
In Drachmas
(Values : 300 & 500 Drachmas)
Circulated from Greek Posts : 15 Nov. 1953
Ionian Islands Earthquake Fund Issue
Protection for
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Earthquake of Kefalonia
Old Church That Collapsed in the 1953 Earthquake Near Sami, Kefalonia
The Disastrous Earthquake of 1953 in Kefalonia Greece, Ionian: One of the greatest disasters to ever befall the Greek island of Kefalonia was the earthquake of 1953. An earthquake like this was bound to happen on this island eventually as this island is just east of a major tectonic fault. This is where the European and the Aegean plates meet. In August of 1953, there were actually four earthquakes that hit the island. These earthquakes destroyed almost every house.
The worst earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. The center was on the southern tip of the island and raised it by 60 cm. The watermarks on rocks around the coast bear testimony to this fact. The only areas that escaped destruction were on the northern side. The worst blow to the economy was that 100,000 residents left the island to live elsewhere. This left only 25,000 residents on the Kefalonia. 600 people died and the survivors who did not leave the island rebuilt everything. The new buildings were built according to strict anti-earthquake specifications. The island did receive international help. It got the most help from the United States, Britain, Sweden and Norway. The first ship to help the island was the British Royal Navy's HMS Daring.
A street in the town of Argostoli is named after this ship. Argostoli was home to many Venetian buildings, which were completely destroyed by the earthquake. They were rebuilt, but are now said to look like cement bunkers. The beauty of the originals was somehow lost in the rebuilding. The old mansions and bell towers were destroyed as well. Only two houses and a bridge survived the earthquakes of 1953.
The village of Sami on Kefalonia was also completely wrecked. The village was rebuilt with wide streets and pre-fabricated cement houses. As a result, it now looks like an English resort town. The town of Fiskardo was the one of the few towns that felt no ill effects. You can see quite picturesque Venetian houses that were built before 1953. Agia Ierosalim is another village that managed to escape the effects of the earthquakes. It has the same Venetian houses as Fiskardo. However, the village of Assos was not as lucky as Fiskardo and Agia Ierosalim. It was completely destroyed and reduced to rubble. For some reason, the French were in love with this town, it could have been because of the landscape. The French used their money to completely rebuild this village. The villagers showed their gratitude to the French by putting up a plaque thanking them in French and Greek. They created a new square and called it Paris. The Korgialenio Folk Museum used to have many photos of Argostoli and other historical documents before it was damaged by the earthquakes of 1953.
The village of Kourkoumelata was completely destroyed and rebuilt by the ship owner named Giorgios Vergotis. The mill-wheels that are near Argostoli were also ruined. The worst earthquake was also felt on Greek islands of Zakynthos, Ithaca and Lefkada. These earthquakes are described in the book called Captain Corelli's Mandolin. The Drapano Cemetery was not affected by earthquakes of 1953. The Monastery of Saint Andreas, however, was not spared, as it suffered untold damage. It was renovated and turned into a museum that holds icons and frescoes from abandoned Kefalonian churches.
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Condition :
Their condition my opinion characterized : Very Fine
USED STAMPS
See the scan (pictures), shape your own opinion.
You will take that you see in photographs of sale.
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