Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a Greek island, not far from the island of Crete, which previously bore the Greek name Kalydon. There are several versions of the origin of the name of the island. According to one of them, the name is translated as “Long Thorn”, according to another, the distorted name “Stin Olunda”, due to the fact that the Venetians had difficulties with pronunciation.

The island was once connected to the rest of the land. According to scientists, part of the land sank after the earthquake. But according to data received from cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli, in 1526 the Venetians divided the Spinalonga peninsula. This was done to strengthen the protection of the Kolokief Peninsula from robbery by pirates. In 1579, a defensive fortress was erected on the site of the ancient city, protecting the Bay of Spinalonga and the bays of Mirabello. And the fort built on the hill made the fortress inaccessible to enemies. A century later, the fortress was tested in practice. In 1669, the island of Crete was captured by the Turks, but the Venetians in Spinalonga held out for another 36 years and then voluntarily surrendered in 1715. The local population found refuge here for themselves, having thus escaped from the forced adoption of Islam.

After almost a couple of centuries, Greece gained independence and in order to drive the Turks out of Crete, they sent lepers from all over the country to Spinalonga. The Turks, fearing leprosy, left Crete. And the hospital for patients with leprosy (leprosy) existed from 1903 to 1557.

Today Spinalonga has been recognized as an archaeological monument and is visited annually by up to 300 thousand people, which puts the island among the five most visited places in Greece. Traces of the history of the Greeks, Venetians, Saracens, and Turks gathered in one place. Only the Lefka Ori National Park can boast such a rich history and popularity in Crete.

The island can be reached by boat from Elounda, Plaka. Boats depart hourly from the port of Elounda in summer; it takes about half an hour to reach the island. In addition to visiting the island, the program usually includes a trip around the peninsula of the Kolokitha Peninsula.