Ano Viannos and Amiras in Crete

Ano Viannos, or Viannos, is located in southern Crete about 55 kilometres south of Heraklion, and about 24 kilometres west of Mirtos. It is a worn village built amphitheatrically with a very beautiful location. Ano Viannos is one of many villages in Crete that seems to have come to a standstill. Please make a break and go for a stroll in the village, some of the side alleys looks like backlots from the 1950s. There are several cafes and tavernas.

The main street in Ano Viannos.

Ano Viannos.

War memorial in Ano Viannos.

Here I go and enjoy Ano Viannos that has stood in time.

The village has a tragic recent history, and as often it is about World War II. Greek partisans had killed a large number of German soldiers in an ambush on September 12, 1943. Two days later, the Nazis returned, this time with a much larger force. About 500 people were massacred in Ano Viannos and in the surrounding villages as a reprisal for the killed German soldiers. Around twenty villages were destroyed, and in addition to all those murdered, many were injured, raped or taken hostage.

The memorial of "The Holocaust of Viannos" in Amiras.

On each statue there are names of those killed during the massacre.

The incident is called The Holocaust of Viannos and it went on for three days. Unfortunately, this horrible massacre is not particularly known in the surrounding world. In Amiras, about five kilometres east of Ano Viannos, stands a memorial dedicated to all who died during the massacre. It is the most beautiful war memorial that I have ever seen, and the saddest. You really get something to think about when you look at these strange statues full with names of all who were murdered.

It is on of the most beautiful war memorial that I have ever seen, and the saddest.

The artists have really succeeded in making the statues look sad.

A statue standing by the monument. You shudder when you see the statue, and it is not of pleasure.

Here I stand photographing the monument above.

The result was like this.

When I see this boy's expression, I am close to crying.

The village of Amiras. The picture is taken from the memorial The Holocaust of Viannos.

Amiras Memorial Church is located by the monument.

When I see memorials like this, I usually think of a quotation by the German author Erich Kästner that can be read at the German war cemetery at Maleme west of Chania. See below.

Do not believe you have millions of enemies. Your only enemy is called - War!

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE AREA

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