First archival evidence of gunpowder production in Dimitsana
The Ottoman register TT 446 records gunpowder mills and Dimitsana residents producing black powder for fortresses in the Morea.
Why it matters
This evidence moves the documented history of Dimitsana’s gunpowder production back to the 16th century, well before the revolutionary use of the gunpowder mills in 1821.
Register TT 446 records barutgah connected with Dimitsana and names residents who supplied black gunpowder to fortresses of the Morea. The listed destinations include Muton, Anabolu, Patra and Karitena.
The people recorded include members of families such as Gavra, Karkala, Dimoyanni, Lombardopulo, Istefanopulo, Vuçara, Sergopulo and others. Because of this service, the register notes exemptions from taxes such as ispençe and extraordinary levies.