Anogia Holocaust Monument 1822-1867-1944

The monument that dominates the square of Agios Ioannis in Anogia is dedicated to the dead of the village during its struggles for freedom. Under the traditional garb (stivania) of the statue of a Cretan warrior, there is an inscription indicating the three dates in which Anogia suffered heavy losses. The first date, 1822, refers to the participation of Anogia in the Greek War of Independence, when Crete, despite many victorious battles, did not manage to become part of the main body of the Revolution and was severely punished by the Ottomans. The second date, 1867, refers to the retaliation of the Ottomans, with the massacre of the village’s population, due to its participation in the Revolt of 1866. The third date, 1944, refers to the complete destruction of the village by the German Nazis. On the orders of the Commander of Crete, Friedrich Müller, dozens of residents of Anogia were executed and thousands were displaced, while literally all the buildings of the village were looted and burnt, with the destruction lasting 23 days.