War Shelter Platanias: A WWII Relic

The War Shelter of Platanias offers a glimpse into the tumultuous history of Crete during World War II. Built in 1942 by German troops, the shelter is an underground network of tunnels and rooms used to store ammunition and military equipment. The location, beneath the Church of St. Dimitrios, was strategically chosen for its natural protection against air raids and the ease of digging into the soft rock.Local forced laborers excavated the 120-meter-long tunnel in just six months. Today, the shelter has been transformed into a museum, commemorating the Cretan resistance and the Nazi occupation. Visitors can explore the tunnels, view WWII artifacts such as weaponry, uniforms, and photographs, and learn about the Battle of Crete, a heroic and significant event in Greek history.An interesting local story surrounds the shelter's construction. A wounded German pilot, cared for by locals, died in Platanias during the Battle of Crete. Fearing Nazi reprisals, the villagers secretly buried him near the church. Coincidentally, this exact spot was later selected for the shelter's construction. A quick-thinking church commissioner persuaded the Nazis to move the tunnel entrance slightly, thus protecting the secret grave and saving the village from potential massacre. An olive tree, still standing at the main entrance, marks this spot.