The Echinos Fort on the Metaxa Line

In the mountainous area of Xanthi, south of the village of Echinos, there is a military fortress that belongs to the fortification program known as the Metaxas Line. It was constructed in the period 1936-1940 to shield the defense of the area from  invasion. The fort controls the passages from the Rodopi Mountains to Xanthi. During the invasion of the German troops in April 1941, the Greeks caused considerable damage to the enemy, but the fortress finally surrendered after a three-day battle.

The fort consists of underground spaces three stories deep with a total span of 765 meters and 1230 meter galleries. There were 665 soldiers and officers serving in them. The Memorial to the dead Greek soldiers has been erected at the entrance to Echinos to commemorate the struggle of the defenders of the fort.