Since the mid-nineteenth century, Galaxidi has held an annual ‘flour war’ or alevromoutzouromata (flour smudging) on Clean Monday whereby the villagers and visitors come together to ‘paint’ the village with brightly coloured flour.

The events dates back to around 1800, at the time of the Ottoman rule, when the residents of Galaxidi risked their lives by defiantly painting their faces with ash and dancing in the street despite the carnival celebration being expressly forbidden.

The real battle begins around 12 noon when all and sundry go to the streets armed with sacks of ‘ammunition’ such as colourfully dyed flour, soot and confetti.