The battle of Skra (or “Battle of Skra di Leggen” from the homonymous peak) was one of the most important victories of the Greek army during WWI. The recapture of the area from the Bulgarians on May 17, 1918, within just an hour and a half and despite the difficulty of this undertaking, played for the opposing powers a pivotal role in the ensuing conflicts, both in the military and psychological front, but also for the final outcome of the Great War.
A monument (Heroon) in memory of the fallen soldiers has been erected at the entrance of the village of Skra.
The inscription at its base reads as follows: “In memory of the fallen during the Battle of Skra in May 1918, 31 officers and 574 soldiers of the Serres – Archipelago – Crete divisions, for the expulsion of the invaders from the national territory of Macedonia”.
The names of all the fallen soldiers are written on the wall behind the monument, while on the site of the monument there is also the bust of major Vasileios Papagiannis.
At a short distance from the village, there is the museum of the Battle of Skra, in operation since 2002. The Macedonian Front of WWI is presented in it.
Weapons, uniforms, medals, helmets, weapon fragments, as well as items from the Greek, French, British, Serbian, Austrian, Bulgarian and German armies are exhibited in the museum. Furthermore, rich photographic material depicting fighting and moments of rest in the trenches of the Macedonian Front, as well as contemporary paintings and lithographs are also exhibited.
