25th August 1898
The climate within Heraklion grew highly volatile, as rural Muslims who had sought refuge in the town sought to vent their anger and frustration on the Christians. Goaded by the appointment of Stylianos Michail Alexiou as the first Christian director of the Revenue Service, on 25th August 1898, as the new clerks were on their way to start work in the town customs house, incensed Bashibazuks (Muslim irregulars) attacked them and the British detachment escorting them.

Rioting rapidly spread throughout the town. Shops and houses were pillaged and buildings were torched, particularly in the area then known as Vezir Çarşı, the modern-day 25th August Street. Among the dozens of Christians who fell victim to the rampage were British Vice-Consul Lysimachos Kalokairinos and 17 British soldiers. In a lighting reaction to the events, the Great Powers ordered the immediate execution of 17 Muslims as ringleaders of the riots.





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25th August Street in the aftermath of the events of 1898 (photograph: G. Marayiannis, Historical Museum of Crete, © S.C.H.S, Heraklion)
Martyrs' Street (now 25th August St) after the riots of 25th August 1898, 1898 (Heraklion)
The Mole or Harbour Gate shortly before the 1898 riots (Illustrated London news)
Part of the ruined town after the 25th August riots, 1898
Turkish irregular troops (Bashibazuks) (Historical Museum of Crete, © S.C.H.S, Heraklion)
Heraklion being torched by the Turks in August 1898 (National History Museum, Athens, Athens)
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