Metaxas Line
| Metaxas Line | |
|---|---|
| Northeastern Greece | |
Dragon's teeth in Metaxas line, near the Greek-Bulgarian border.
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| Type | Defensive line |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Greece |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1936–1941 |
| In use | 1936–1945 |
| Materials | Concrete and steel |
| Battles/wars |
Battle of Greece in World War II
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Battle of Greece in World War II
The Metaxas Line was a chain of fortifications constructed along the line of the Greco-Bulgarian border, designed to protect Greece in case of a Bulgarian invasion after the rearmament of Bulgaria. It was named after Ioannis Metaxas, then Prime Minister of Greece, and chiefly consists of tunnels that led to observatories, emplacements and machine-gun nests. The constructions are so sturdy that they survive to this day, some of which are still in active service. Some of them are open to the public.
The Metaxas Line consists of 21 independent fortification complexes, the largest of which is Fort Roupel as it covers 6.1 out of the 155 km of the full line and had been constructed at a height of 322 m. Illumination was initially mostly provided by oil-lamps, although generators were also installed. (Currently, the fortifications are supplied with public electricity, but they are also equipped with generators). Ventilation was achieved both naturally and artificially. Water was supplied via water-mains. The fortification works lasted four years and their cost at the time reached 100,400,000 drachmas.
The following 21 forts make up the Metaxas Line, ordered from West to East along the Greco-Bulgarian border.
Before the outbreak of World War II, the additions made to the Roupel Fortress were considered to be too weak. Thus, it was decided that further fortifications should be constructed, not only in that particular region, but also along the entire northern Greek borderline. The plans were drawn up in 1935 and work began at Kerkini in 1936. The original intention was that the full fortifications' line reach as far along the border as Ormenion. Greece, however, became involved in World War II in 1940, thus preventing completion. At the war’s outbreak, the fortification line had only reached Komotini, Thrace and was 155 km long.
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