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Rockets Light Up The Sky: Greece's Wild Church Battle Tradition!
In the town of Vrontados, located on the Greek island of Chios, an Easter battle takes place every year, where two rival church communities face off in a unique and fiery duel.
The neighboring churches are perched on two small hills just a few hundred meters apart, and locals bombard each other's bell towers with homemade rockets.
Every Easter, members of the two churches on the island of Chios fire thousands of rockets at each other. The goal is to hit the opposing church's bell tower as many times as possible. The battle is repeated every year, as the two sides never agree on who the true winner is.
Chiosphotos.gr, YouTube
The tradition is called Rouketopolemos, and it is believed to have originated in 1889, during the Turkish occupation of the island. After the Ottomans seized the locals' cannons, the people responded by crafting their own rockets. Today, around 50,000 homemade fireworks are launched each year during the event.
Despite protective nets and coverings placed over the churches, the event often results in fires, injuries, and property damage. Nevertheless, the tradition remains deeply rooted in the local culture. In 2016, the event was canceled due to numerous complaints, but it was revived the following year with updated safety regulations. Take a look how this year's Easter fireworks battle unfolded on the Greek island of Chios.
The neighboring churches are perched on two small hills just a few hundred meters apart, and locals bombard each other's bell towers with homemade rockets.
Every Easter, members of the two churches on the island of Chios fire thousands of rockets at each other. The goal is to hit the opposing church's bell tower as many times as possible. The battle is repeated every year, as the two sides never agree on who the true winner is.
Chiosphotos.gr, YouTube
The tradition is called Rouketopolemos, and it is believed to have originated in 1889, during the Turkish occupation of the island. After the Ottomans seized the locals' cannons, the people responded by crafting their own rockets. Today, around 50,000 homemade fireworks are launched each year during the event.
Despite protective nets and coverings placed over the churches, the event often results in fires, injuries, and property damage. Nevertheless, the tradition remains deeply rooted in the local culture. In 2016, the event was canceled due to numerous complaints, but it was revived the following year with updated safety regulations. Take a look how this year's Easter fireworks battle unfolded on the Greek island of Chios.
