Two mass graves containing the remains of executed individuals from the Greek Civil War have been discovered in the Sykies district of Thessaloniki.
The graves were uncovered during redevelopment work around the National Resistance Memorial, increasing the total number of such sites in the area to six.
According to experts, the location was likely used for the execution of political prisoners due to its proximity to the Yedi Kule prison, a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress situated on the north-eastern corner of the Acropolis of Thessaloniki.
The first human remains were found in late 2024. Although the antiquities authority determined that the skeletons were not of archaeological interest, municipal authorities requested further excavations, citing their historical and political significance.
So far, at least 22 skeletons have been unearthed, one of which is believed to belong to a woman, as traces of a woman’s shoe were found. Additionally, four or five skeletons appear to belong to individuals around 20 years old.
Most of the remains have been handed over to authorities for further examination, including age estimation and determination of the time period in which the executions took place.
Municipal authorities have also requested the return of the skeletons so they can be made available to relatives and descendants for potential DNA identification.
Thousands killed during the Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was a conflict that took place from 1946 to 1949, immediately following World War II. It was primarily fought between the Greek government, supported by the United States and Great Britain, and the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE), which was backed by communist Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Albania.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the resistance movements during the Axis occupation of Greece in WWII, where communist guerrilla forces played a prominent role. After the war, tensions escalated as ideological differences between the communist forces and the Western-backed government led to open conflict.
The civil war was marked by brutal fighting, atrocities committed by both sides, and significant civilian suffering. It ended with the defeat of the DSE in 1949, leading to the establishment of a conservative government in Greece. The conflict also had broader implications during the early stages of the Cold War, as it was seen as part of the ideological struggle between communism and Western democracy.
Thousands of people were killed during the Greek Civil War which left deep scars on Greek society, contributing to political polarization for decades.
Related: Dekemvriana: Greece’s Turning Point to Civil War