Konstantinos Lagoumitzis

Who was Konstantinos Lagoumitzis?

Konstantinos Lagoumitzis was a Greek revolutionary during the War of Greek Independence, famous for his ability to dig underground tunnels during sieges.

Lagoumitzis was born in the village of Hormovo, near Tepelene in modern Albania, then Ottoman Empire. His real name was Dalaropoulos, but he was also called Hormovitis, however he is mainly known as Lagoumitzis due to his successful ability to dig underground tunnels beneath the camps of enemies and blow them up.

His successes during the Siege of Messolonghi, and the Siege of Acropolis, made him famous. During this last siege, Lagoumitzis saved Acropolis and the surrounding monuments, successfully dealing with plans of the Turkish besiegers on setting explosives and blowing up the ancient monuments.