The story of the Third Cemetery of Athens begins in May 1939 when it opened its gates on the sprawling grounds of the former Mercati estate. However, just as the cemetery was starting to take shape, the War swept across Europe, and the cemetery proved fittingly vast to accommodate the growing needs.
As the Occupation unfolded, the cemetery became a solemn resting place for thousands of souls—Greeks, allies, and enemies alike. It was a site of sorrow and resilience, where lives were both saved and lost. Amidst this backdrop of despair, a nursery was established within the cemetery grounds to provide sustenance for children’s soup kitchens, serving as a small beacon of hope during a time of scarcity. Yet, this same place of refuge was marred by tragedy, as it also became a site of executions carried out by the Italian Occupation authorities.
The operation of the cemetery quickly became a priority for the occupying forces. They imposed strict conditions, dictated spending, and mandated spatial alterations, all while the toll of war mounted. The death count climbed relentlessly on both sides, and by the winter of 1941, the cemetery had reached its limits. Emergency measures were implemented; graves were expanded, and in some instances, four or five—sometimes even more—bodies were buried together, a grim reflection of the overwhelming loss.
The conditions under which the dead were transported, buried, and even exhumed were harrowing. The cemetery echoed with the grief of families searching for their loved ones amidst horrific scenes of loss and mourning. This relentless cycle of despair created a stark reality that weighed heavily on the hearts of the living, amplifying the trauma of death itself.
As the civil war ignited in 1946, the first exhumations began, marking the tumultuous times. The demand for individual or collective graves grew, and the cemetery sought to reclaim a sense of normalcy, striving to align with its original urban planning design. Yet, during the mid-1960s, complex issues of collective memory and honouring the dead emerged, fraught with awkwardness and reflection, as the cemetery continued to bear witness to the passage of time and the lingering shadows of its past.