Heraklion honors WWII Battle of Crete with memorial ceremony

Sunday, 17 May 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

A commemorative ceremony was held by the Heraklion Regional Unit to honor the Battle of Crete, one of the most significant events of World War II in Greece. The event included a wreath-laying at the Battle of Crete Memorial and a morning religious service (Doxology) at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Titus in central Heraklion, led by Archbishop of Crete Evgenios. The Battle of Crete (May 20-31, 1941) saw Allied and Cretan forces resist a major German airborne invasion. Ceremonies like this take place annually around the anniversary and are open to the public. Visitors interested in this history can explore related sites across the island, including the Battle of Crete Museum in Heraklion and the German and Commonwealth war cemeteries near Maleme and Souda Bay respectively.