Crete. Island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga is located in the eastern part of Crete, not far from Elounda. Spinalongu is called an "island of leprous", since here before 1957, all those who fell ill with this disease were sent from mainland Greece and Crete. In ancient times, the island was part of the land of Crete, the northern end of the peninsula. On the site where the peninsula was connected with Crete, the city of Olus was located, which plunged into the sea as a result of the earthquake.

In the Byzantine times, a fortress stood on the island, but with the arrival of the Arabs at Spinalonga, it was destroyed. Today, "the leper island" is visited by thousands of tourists who sail by boats from the city of Elounda, Agios Nikolaos and Plaka, in order to visit the abandoned houses.

History of the island of Spinalonga

The island appeared at the end of the XVI century, when for defense and a possible invasion from the east at the end of the peninsula the Venetians built a fortress and separated it from the rest of the land by a wide channel. Construction of an impregnable structure was completed in 1579. In 1669, after the conquest of Crete by the Turks, Spinalonga Island for more than 30 years was in the possession of the Venetians and was a refuge for many Christian families. Only in 1715 he moved to the new rulers. In the late nineteenth century, after Crete was liberated, Turkish subjects found their refuge on Spinalong. To free the island from the former invaders, the Greek government decides to establish a leper colony here.

Origin of the name of the island

Today Spinalonga is called not only a small island, but all other islands, combined with Elounda narrow isthmus. There is information that Kolokife is also called Spinalonga, because it was previously united with the island. And in fact, the island of Spinalonga is located near Kolokifa, and the water there is shallow. Therefore, it is quite possible that this piece of land was artificially separated by Venetians, in order to build a fortress on this site. Spinalong Island was named Venetian conquerors who did not know the Greek language. They translated the name Olounda as Spinalonte back in the thirteenth century. Then the island got its present name. Of course, it is not accidental, since this name was also borne by the island in Venice.

Features of the island location

The island of Spinalonga (Crete) is located in the Gulf of Mirabello. In the distant past, this small islet was part of the mainland, but later a thin bridge was destroyed. Even before the Venetians arrived in Spinalonga, a small fortification was already built on this site. Venetians immediately appreciated all the advantages of location in the bay of the island and built on this place a full-fledged fortress, which for a long time remained almost impregnable.

Turkish occupation of the island

At that time, in the conditions of the unceasing struggle for the right to dominate the Mediterranean, occupation was needed. Cyprus was already captured by the Ottoman Empire, and the Turks constantly raided the coast of Crete. But later Spinalonga Island was also captured. Crete was first occupied by the Turks. On the island after the occupation settled civilians, mostly fishermen. But after the revolution that took place on Crete 150 years later, everything changed radically, and on Spinalong, Turkish families fleeing from the Cretans, but it did not last long. After the first batch of lepers was brought to the island, it began to inhabit little.

Leprosoria on the island

The leper colony survived on the island and after Crete became part of Greece. The leper was brought here not only from this country, but also from others. For a long time, the living conditions of leprosy patients on the island were nightmarish. They lived in dilapidated houses, unable to repair their homes. Money was not enough not only for food, but for drinking water. Only after the Second World War did the situation change for the better. Before that, the island of Spinalonga, whose photo you can see below, remained a place of sorrow and tears.

After Crete was occupied by the fascists, those who were afraid to provoke lepers to escape, regularly supplied food to the island. The Germans were so afraid of contracting the incurable leprosy at that time, that during the entire occupation, not one of them decided to visit the fortress. Therefore, this islet was called the "place of freedom" during the Second World War. In 1957, after the discovery of the medicine for leprosy, the patients began to leave Spinalonga. There were few photos of this area at that time, as the people of Crete did not dare to visit it for a long time because of their fears and prejudices.

How to get to the island

Recently, despite its gloomy history, the island of Spinalonga receives reviews enthusiastic from tourists who visited this place. It has become one of the most popular sites in Crete and one of the five most visited places of interest in these places. The fortress of Spinalonga itself is well preserved, and from the top of the hill on which it is located, a wonderful view of the sea opens. Some of the buildings on the island have been renovated and refurbished. Here opened a cafe, souvenir shops. There is even a center where you can rent sports equipment.

You can get to the island from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka by boat. In the summer, boats that bring and bring tourists who want to visit Spinalonga, go four times per hour. The ticket costs about ten euros, for children the cost is two times less. Throughout the summer from the port of Elounda, an hour boat departs every hour, a sea voyage on which, besides visiting the island, often includes a tour of Kolokife.

Also, vacationers can board a boat in the village of Plake, located north of Elounda. From here the trip takes only ten minutes, since Plaka is directly opposite the island. You can reach the cities by your own car, heading east from Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos. It is possible to take advantage of numerous excursion programs that include not only a trip to Spinalongu, but also a lunch in a local tavern, and a swim on the beach of Kolokifa, which is very near the island.