Macedonian refugees in Atalanti

On November 5, 1826, at the port of Atalanti, arrived the "Thessalomacedonians" (Θεσσαλομακεδόνες) refugees, led by Angelis Gatsos and Anastasios Karatasos, organized with the aid of Ioannis Kolettis.

[2] Between February and March 1831, 150 captains with their men fled from Thessaloniki to southern parts of Greece and the government of Ioannis Kapodistrias received and accommodated them in Atalanti.

[3] A royal decree of March 20, 1835, affirmed that 370 Macedonian refugees were granted the right to settle in Atalanti, freeing up 1.5 hectares (3+1⁄2 acres) of state land for cultivation and food.

By royal decree of April 25, old style, or May 7, 1837, Macedonians were granted the right of self-government - in this case, against the existing local Greek community.

This provoked protest by the mayor and as a result the formation of two parallel self-governing communities, with no analogue in the territory of the Kingdom of Greece.