The Museum
The Municipality of Heraklion museum for the Battle of Crete and National Resistance 1941-45 was founded and started operating in May 1994.
Its mission is to gather, preserve and exhibit heirlooms of the period 1941-1945 from Crete, as well as to accentuate the sacred battles of the Cretan people during the German-Italian occupation.
Together with the exhibition of historic documents, the Museum also offers the motivation necessary to rouse love and respect for the history of Crete.
The Battle of Crete and National Resistance
In 20th May 1941 began the most absurd battle in the history of Crete, known by the name "The Battle of Crete" during which hundreds of German parachutists landed on the island to fight against Cretan people.
Although well armed and thoroughly equipped, they didn't manage to bend the Cretans' love for freedom. Cretan civilians, fighting together with the rest of the Greek people, British, New Zealand's and Australian soldiers, bravely resisted the German onslaught.
This historic "Battle of Crete" helped other fighting nations in their battle against the Axis powers, delaying the Germans by getting their attention and occupying their powerful forces.