Maleme German Military Cemetery
The German War Cemetery is situated on the north west coast, about 16km west of Chania town, just beyond the village of Maleme. A sign will direct you to a narrow, winding road heading inland from the main coast road.
The cemetery contains the graves of 4,465 soldiers who lost their lives during the 1941 – 45 years, many during the early days of the Battle of Crete. There is a memorial to 360 soldiers whose remains were never found.
The display housed in the small visitor’s centre at the entrance is both informative and thought provoking. Its theme is one of reconciliation and peace. There is a Book of Remembrance with the names of the war dead.
It is a poignant setting, overlooking the airstrip and the coast where so much of the action took place and where so many men lost their lives.