Greece: WWII Prisoner Remains Found in Park
in a somber turn of events near Thessaloniki, the remains of fourteen individuals, believed to be victims of the Greek Civil War, have been unearthed. These unmarked graves,found during park renovations,point to the grim realities faced by communist prisoners executed post-conflict,between 1946 and 1953,offering a painful look at this dark period in Greece’s history. The finding echoes a similar find earlier this year, with News Directory 3 reporting on both the ongoing investigations and the community’s commitment to uncovering the truth. Authorities are working tirelessly near the Yedi Kule castle to identify further graves. What discoveries will the coming searches reveal?
More Unmarked Graves from Greek Civil War Era Unearthed Near Thessaloniki
Updated June 08, 2025
Another mass grave containing the remains of 14 people believed to be victims of Greece’s civil war era has been discovered in a park near Thessaloniki, officials announced Saturday. The bodies, thought to be those of communist prisoners executed between 1946 and 1953, were found during renovation work in Neapolis-Sykies.
The grim find echoes a similar discovery earlier this year when 33 bodies were exhumed from unmarked burial pits in the same area. Both sites are near the Yedi Kule castle, also known as Eptapyrgio, a former prison where communist sympathizers were allegedly tortured and executed.
Haris Charismiadis, the supervising engineer for the park project, told the Associated press that the graves were located just below the surface. Despite the ongoing investigation, local Mayor Simos Daniilidis has prioritized the continued search for additional graves. Charismiadis believes more bodies are buried nearby, potentially under adjacent streets. An archaeologist is assisting with the excavation.
Unlike the previous discovery where bodies were laid side-by-side,these remains were found jumbled together,suggesting a hasty burial. According to Charismiadis, previous excavations revealed victims with multiple bullet wounds to the head.Personal items, such as a woman’s shoe, handbag, and a ring, were also found, offering poignant glimpses into the lives of those who perished.
Families of the executed have requested DNA testing to identify the bodies, but testing has not yet commenced.
the Greek Civil War, a brutal conflict between Western-backed government forces and left-wing insurgents, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The war was marked by assassinations, child abductions, and mass displacements. Journalist George Polk, who reported on government corruption, was among those killed during the conflict.
What’s next
the city has stated it’s commitment to continue searching for mass graves, aiming to provide proper recognition to those who perished during the Civil War.