After a humble life as a shoemaker in Santorini, Greece, a man is said to have returned as Vrykolakas, a vampire from Greek folklore. But in the case of this Vrykolaki, it wasn't devouring human life that kept it alive.
Perhaps sunlit Santorini isn't a place people would think vampire-like creatures roamed, although history says otherwise.
From the text of a French priest we have some of the oldest documented written stories about the vampire Vrykolaki from Greek folklore. One of them is the story of Alexander of Pyrgos.
Shoemaker in Pyrgos Castle
His name was said to be Alexander and he was a shoemaker in the castle of Pyrgo. During his life he was known as a gentle and kind man.
It is not mentioned exactly what happened that turned Alexander into a vrykolak after his death. Most often, Greek vampire stories are about people living sinful lives who turned into vampires. However, in Alexander's case it seems that something else triggered the transformation. It is worth noting that Alexander is not the only shoemaker who turned into a vampire, although the connection with the profession is unknown.
A helpful vampire from Pyrgos
According to the story, Alexander returned from the grave, not to attack or eat the flesh of the living as in many stories, but appeared to his living wife as he had done in life. He returned to repair his children's shoes, carry water for his family, work around the house, and chop firewood.
Although there is no mention of the family's reaction to the situation, it seems that it has been going on for some time and the neighbors took matters into their own hands. Seeing him doing his chores, drawing water from the cistern and chopping wood in the valley, it was decided to exhume his body from the grave. According to tradition, all Vrykolacy returned to their graves on Saturdays, so this is most likely what happened. Here even the helpful dead had to go.
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The shoe vampire Vrykolakas from Pyrgos Castle
After a humble life as a shoemaker in Santorini, Greece, a man is said to have returned as Vrykolakas, a vampire from Greek folklore. But in the case of this Vrykolaki, it wasn't devouring human life that kept it alive.
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Vampirologists. Franciszek Ryszard
By Light Unseen – Vampires in media and culture
Greek accounts of the Vrykolaki
Image Source: Pixabay.com
