Travelers are increasingly drawn towards narratives etched in shadow rather than the classic Greek sun-soaked experiences. This has led to the rise of dark tourism, a global trend in which travel becomes an exploration of humanity’s grim past. Morose? Possibly. Controversial? Certainly. But undeniably, dark tourism plays a pivotal role in preserving our historical memory, breathing life into narratives long obscured by time’s relentless march.
In this spirit, we present a selection of Greece’s most notorious dark tourism destinations, offering a very particular travel experience for those desiring a taste of the unconventional.
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Spinalonga, in Crete, is an island of barely 1 square km. Yet its history looms large, a colossal monument to human suffering, written about too by author Victoria Hhislpo in her famous book ‘The Island’. In 1903, this abandoned Venetian fortress became a leper colony, a tragic place of exile for those afflicted with this incurable disease.
Dark, isn’t it? But there’s more. The notoriety of Spinalonga grew so great that patients across Europe found themselves bound for this tiny enclave. With no cure for leprosy available, Spinalonga became a one-way journey, a farewell to freedom, to life itself.
Despite these grim realities, Spinalonga didn’t surrender to despair. It blossomed into a vibrant community, connected to Plaka by the ceaseless rhythm of the sea. Its residents, during the German Occupation of Greece, launched a unique rebellion, leveraging the occupiers’ inherent fear to secure free ally radios. A daring defiance of authority in a place where normalcy had long ceased to exist.
02
Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace
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Let’s venture to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace. Though now a serene archaeological site, it is among the most enigmatic monuments in Greece. The site is entangled with the Cabeirian Mysteries, ancient rites venerating chthonic deities unfamiliar to mainland Greece.
At this sanctuary, Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite were overlooked. Instead, aristocrats and slaves alike participated in secretive ceremonies, offering cryptic sacrifices to honor deities that remain, to this day, elusive to researchers. Current findings suggest the Cabeirian Mysteries originated from ancient Anatolian religions, which found their way to Samothrace for reasons obscured by time.
Legend has it that the site’s aura was so overpowering that any uninitiated individual who dared to enter would invite grave misfortune – some said they would be cursed for life. Will you dare pay a visit to Samothrace and attempt to untangle this ancient enigma? Perhaps you’ll be the one to unravel its mysteries.
03
The War Museum of Leros
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Leros, often seen as a key passageway in the Mediterranean, was under Italian rule for 31 years, during which time the Italians established important naval bases on the island. During World War II, the island endured intense bombing by the British Royal Air Force and later faced severe aerial attacks and ground assaults from German forces.
Today, the War Museum, located in an old tunnel constructed by the Italians during World War II, offers a remarkable collection of artifacts. Among the murkier recesses of tunnel, one can glimpse relics of a bleaker past: Fascist Italy’s symbology, Nazi Germany’s anti-asphyxiation suits, helmets peppered with bullet holes, and even submarine torpedoes, all displayed with a certain morose pride.
This tunnel bore witness to the Battle of Leros, where Fascist Italy’s forces bit, scratched, and clawed to retain one of their last territories in the Eastern Mediterranean. A visit there is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. You’ll be handed a shot-sized, yet potent taste of the horrors from humanity’s darkest war in recent history.
04
Dragon Houses of Southern Evia
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Next, let’s explore the enigmatic Dragon Houses of Southern Evia. Only 25 of these enigmatic structures exist, and their purpose remains a riddle. Were they homes, places for exiles, or temples? We’re not certain. Constructed in the early Hellenistic period, they are monolithic stone structures set at dominating locations.
These edifices, made of enormous grey stones, were presumably built by individuals with Herculean strength. With no definitive findings in the area, it’s almost as if these houses sprang from the earth. Surely, a tale that’d set your ‘dark intrigue’ alarm ringing.
So, if you’re eager to uncover the secrets of the Dragon Houses, all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and an appetite for mystery. And remember, if you manage to solve this enigma, do share your revelation. We’d all love to delve deeper into the true purpose of these mysterious structures.
05
The Mt Parnitha Sanatorium, Athens
Upon approaching the sprawling, deserted sanatorium on Mount Parnitha, especially under overcast skies or at dusk, one might feel as if they’ve stepped into a scene from a horror movie. Constructed in 1912, this facility was strategically placed on the mountain to take advantage of the dry climate and oxygen-rich air, intended for the treatment of tuberculosis. Sadly, within just five years, more than half of its patients passed away.
The building changed hands in 1965 when the Greek Tourism Organization (GNTO) purchased it, repurposing it first as a hotel and then as a tourism school. Abandoned again after two decades, the site has since become a magnet for ghost hunters, thrill-seekers, and dark tourism enthusiasts. Our research revealed that many have reported eerie experiences, including sightings of apparitions, hearing mysterious voices, sudden drops in temperature, and other unexplained phenomena. One persistent urban legend tells of a young girl in a white robe seen wandering the halls, crying out for water.
Across from the sanatorium lies The Park of Souls, an equally haunting area. Artist Spyridon Dassiotis created this memorial in 2012 using charred tree trunks from a significant fire on the mountain in 2007. These sculptures are said to capture the tragic expressions of souls, emerging from the wood in memory of those who perished.
