Crete Honors 62 Civilians Killed in WWII Nazi Atrocity 84 Years Later

Tuesday, 9 June 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

The municipalities of Heraklion and Malevizi are holding a joint commemoration ceremony to honor 62 Cretan civilians executed by German Occupation Forces 84 years ago, in 1942. The event marks one of the many wartime atrocities carried out against the local population during the Nazi occupation of Crete in World War II. Ceremonies of this type typically include a wreath-laying, speeches by local officials, and a moment of silence. Visitors in the Heraklion area are welcome to attend as a way to understand the deep wartime history that shaped modern Crete. The island's resistance legacy remains a significant part of local identity and is reflected in several museums and memorial sites across the region, including the Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion city center.