The Battle of Crete 2011

The Battle of Crete 2011 – affording for the perfect springtime getaway.

If all the Royal Wedding fever that gripped the nation made you feel slightly nauseated, you may be thinking of escaping and heading off to sunnier climes in the coming weeks. If soaking up some sea, sun and culture is high on your springtime getaway agenda, then jetting off to the island of Crete could be just the ticket.

With the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete being celebrated through May on the island this year, Crete may be just the destination to experience some legendary history and culture in an enviable climate and surroundings.

On 20 May, 1941, thousands of Nazi troops invaded Crete, and despite Hitler anticipating an easy and quick conquest of the island, the Cretans fought inspiringly, forcing the Nazis to encounter a vigorous resistance and lose a fleet of more than 4500 elite paratroopers.

So forceful was the Cretans resistance that Furher promised never to make a similar attack again.

The legacy of the 1941 invasion on the island is so intense, that even 70 years later many families still light candles in commemoration of the ones they lost during this bleak period of the island’s history.

Throughout May, the towns, cities and villages of Crete hold various celebrations to commemorate the Battle of Crete. Re-enactments of para-troops invading from the sky are put on, as the whole island is whipped into a frenzy of celebrations. The Battle of Crete’s 70th anniversary, like the 60th in 2001, is expected to be one huge party.

Reference to those who were lost during the Nazi invasion is notably prevalent on the island, such as at the caves of Agios Nikolaos, where the names of the brave men and women who were killed during the invasion, are inscribed into the cave’s walls, which has now become a popular bar.

Although the Battle of Crete commemorations are celebrated throughout the whole of May, it is on 22 May when the celebrations are particularly feverous, with a major party in Heraklion taking place.

If you are lucky enough to be heading to Crete this May, travel service disruptions are expected due to the huge influx of visitors expected on the island – A small price to pay for witnessing such a passionate and heart-rending event.

Vintage travel has a superb selection of the best villas in Crete with pools.