War Memorial

Here you are in front of the war memorial on Dekigala Street, a modest monument but one rich in meaning. It honors the people of Fira who lost their lives on April 23 and 24, 1944, during the battles to free the town from German occupation. At that time, Santorini, like the rest of Greece, was under Nazi rule. Despite the island’s isolation, a resistance movement rose up and paid a heavy price so that Fira could regain its freedom.

This memorial stands as a reminder of their sacrifice and their courage in the face of oppression. Today, it is a gathering place on Greece’s national holidays, such as Independence Day, when wreaths are laid here in memory of the fallen. Often overlooked by visitors passing quickly through, it remains an important witness to Santorini’s more recent history.