Quick Facts
Biography
Lucca Vaya, also referred as Loukas Vaya, Lluka (Luka) Vaja, Loukas Vagias (Greek: Λουκάς Βάγιας) was a physician, and participant in the Greek War of Independence. He is remembered as the personal doctor of Ali Pasha, the Phanariote nobleman Alexandros Mavrokordatos, and Lord Byron.
Biography
Lucca was born in the village of Lekël in Lunxhëri region, then Pashalik of Yanina, Ottoman Empire, today Tepelenë District, Albania.
He was the younger brother of Thanasis Vagias, chief commander of Ali Pasha. They had two other brothers, Joan and Kristakis. According to some sources, Lucca's (and Thanasis') intrigues were the main driver for Vangjel Meksi to leave Ali Pasha's cabinet and escape to Corfu.
Lucca married the daughter of Athanasios Psalidas, one of the main representatives of the Modern Greek Enlightenment and member of Ali Pasha's council. He is mentioned as an excellent doctor, studied in Wien, Austrian Empire.
According to Henry Holland he was Greek. Lucca Vaya joined the Greek Revolution and gave immense contribution during the Third Siege of Missolonghi. He was buried in Argos.