The Rocketwar Event takes place annually in Vrontados, between two orthodox churches, Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani. The respective churches of the two rival parishes are built on two hilltops about 400 meters away from each other.
It is the local tradition of Vrontados to prepare the self-made rockets.The knowledge and the experience of this craft is given from father to son, as it is a dangerous task which demands caution.
It is the local tradition of Vrontados to prepare the self-made rockets.The knowledge and the experience of this craft is given from father to son, as it is a dangerous task which demands caution.
Protecting the churches windows and the nearby houses is very important and protective constructions are built some days before the event.
During the day time before the event, preparations need to be done. The opposing teams put up ramps in certain locations from which they shoot the rockets, they launch their self-made missils and they do test shoots to set the rockets' aim correctly.
At 7 o'clock in the evening the war begins! With a sign both teams start to fire the rockets, almost at the same time, so that the sky is litten by the rockets which are flying like shooting stars through the dark sky.
Thousands of home-made rockets are fired across town, with the objective of hitting the bell tower of the church of the other side, while some people are also following the religious ceremony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Thousands of home-made rockets are fired across town, with the objective of hitting the bell tower of the church of the other side, while some people are also following the religious ceremony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The day after the big event, the area around the two churches is covered with the leftovers of the rockets. Clean up works need to be done, but for the opposing teams the most important thing on this day is to see how many hits their rockets made.
