​​The Romaniote Jews are first mentioned in the history of the city of Ioannina, in the 14th century. They have lived in Greece since the Hellenistic times and embraced the Greek language. In the beginning of the 20th century, the community consisted of approximately 4,000 people, which gradually reduced due to the Balkan Wars and emigration.&nbsp;​On 28 October 1940, Greece rejected the Italian ultimatum which demanded free passage of troops and the occupation of strategic sites. This was the beginning of the Greco-Italian War. Ioannina was the first Greek city involved in World War II and the headquarters of the Greek Army were posted in the city. The male population of the Jewish community fought at the frontline of the Greek Albanian borders, while many women served as nurses.&nbsp;​In April 1941, Greece was fighting against both the Italian and German armies. It then signed an armistice and was forced under triple occupation by Germany, Italy and Bulgaria. In 1943, Italy surrendered the control of Epirus to the Nazis, who soon begun cataloguing Jewish citizens and making assets. &nbsp;​Those who anticipated the impending persecution attempted to escape with the help of the Christian clergy. Some survived by hiding in Christian homes or by joining Greek Resistance groups in the mountains. However, the Nazi’s "Final Solution" plan was enforced upon the Jews of Ioannina in March 1944.&nbsp;​On 25 March 1944, the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence of 1821, the Romaniote Jews of Ioannina were ordered to gather at the Military Hospital of Its Kale Castle and on Mavilis Square by the lake. 1870 people were loaded onto 97 lorries and transported first to Trikala and then to Larisa. From there, together with Jews from these two cities, they were deported by train to the concentration camp Auschwitz – Birkenau. Almost all were murdered. Only 112 of them survived the death camp. &nbsp;​The Holocaust of the Romaniote Jews of Ioannina almost wiped out an ancient community but did not manage to erase its heritage.

Greece

Municipality of Ioannina

A large group of people stands in two long lines along a paved courtyard, facing inward toward a central area. A man in a military uniform stands in the foreground left with his back turned. In the background are stone buildings and leafless trees.

 ​Gathering of the Greek Romaniote Jews at Its Kale Castle of Ioannina, on 25 March 1944.​

Jewish Holocaust of Ioannina, deportation on 25 March 1944.

An outdoor scene shows a crowd of people in winter coats and hats standing on a snowy ground. An open-sided truck or wagon covered with a dark canopy tarp is parked at right, with several people standing nearby.

The members of the Greek Romaniote Jewish Community of Ioannina were ordered to gather at Mavilis Square carrying their luggage as they were supposed to be resettled elsewhere. Instead, they were executed at Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.​

Jewish Holocaust of Ioannina, deportation of the Greek Romaniote Jews​

A large metallic, abstract monument stands on the right, with layered rectangular metal panels and dark bases; its front includes a small jewish chandelier and horizontal engraved lines. In the background, leafy branches hang over a red-and-blue building.

​The Holocaust memorial in Ioannina honors the Jewish citizens of Ioannina, arrested and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Nazi forces, on March 25, 1944.​

​Jewish Holocaust Memorial of Ioannina​

Black-and-white photo of several men in military uniforms and hats standing along a street beside a large truck covered with a tarp. A group of people cluster near the truck and in the street, with rubble and damaged buildings visible in the background.

 ​1,870 Greek Romaniote Jews of Ioannina were loaded onto lorries for Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.​

​Jewish Holocaust of Ioannina, deportation for Auschwitz-Birkenau​

Black-and-white photograph of a line of men outdoors, wearing dark overcoats and hats, standing along a path beside trees. Several men hold cloth bags and parcels at waist level; one man holds a sack in the foreground.

​​1,870 Greek Romaniote Jews were deported from Ioannina and were transferred at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Only 112 survived the death camps.​​

Der Holocaust an den Jüdinnen und Juden von Ioannina

Geor. Soutsou 5, 45444 Ioannina

Photos

Der Holocaust an den Jüdinnen und Juden von Ioannina

​​Geor. Soutsou 5​, 45444 Ioannina

Photos

Geor. Soutsou 5, 45444 Ioannina