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Another tragic chapter from the struggle of the Cretan people to free themselves.
In October 1823, 340 women and children and 30 men from Melidoni village found refuge in the cave, in order to escape the Turkish army that had moved in their village. When Hussein Beis discovered their hiding place, he encircled the cave with his army and asked the Cretans to surrender; they refused.
By January 1824, the Turks had made several unsuccessful raids to occupy the cave. So, Hussein Beis decided to block the entrance of the cave with branches and he set fire. All the women, children and men died from asphyxiation caused by smoke.
For the technically minded, this is a hand held exposure as I didn't think a tripod would have been allowed. I was wrong but it was too hot to go back to the car and get it. So I upped the iso and took a deep breath.