Exhibition in Crete Honors First Mass Execution of Greek Civilians

Wednesday, 3 June 2026/Source: Haniotika Nea/1 min read

An exhibition in the village of Kontomari, western Crete, commemorates the victims of one of the darkest events of the Second World War. On June 2, 1941, German forces carried out the first mass execution of Greek civilians on the island, killing the men of the village in reprisal following the Battle of Crete. The exhibition features 23 photographs of the victims, a reconstruction of a house seized by the occupiers, and rare photographs taken by German soldier Franz-Peter Weixler, who documented the massacre. Kontomari is located roughly 15 kilometers southeast of Chania. Visitors to the region can pay their respects at the village memorial. The exhibition serves as a reminder of the wartime suffering endured by Cretan communities and the importance of preserving their memory for future generations.