Spinalalonga Island

Spinalonga is an small isle at the entrance of Elounda bay and in former times was a fortress of the Olounites. In 1579 the Venetians built a mighty fortress there, which remained under their rule even after the Ottoman occupation of Crete in 1669. During the last years of the Ottoman occupation, it was a safe refuge of Ottoman families. Today Spinalonga isle is one of the main attractions of the area.

Spinalonga, the last active leper colony from 1903 until 1957 although the last person to leave was the priest who left in 1962. This was to maintain the religious beliefs of the Greek Orthodox church, in which a buried person has to be commemorated 6mths, 1yr, 3yrs and 5 years after their death.

Throughout the 17th century the fortress remained in Venetian hands and was a refuge for Christians fleeing from the Turks. In 1715, however, a Turkish Pasha managed to conquer the castle; after a long siege the Venetians capitulated and a treaty was signed.
After that, Turkish families who were afraid of the Christians inhabited the castle. After the Turks were driven out of Crete in 1903, the fortress was turned into a leper colony.