The island of Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small island, which closes the gulf of Elounda from the north at the region Merampellos, of the prefecture of Lasithi. Its ancient name was “Kalidon”, but after its occupation by the Venetians, it was renamed in the Latin language to “spina lunga”, meaning a “long thorn”. The present name of the little island was shaped after paraphrasing of the above mentioned. It was excellently fortressed by the Venetians, from constructing, architecture and the aesthetics of the whole region point of view, and preserves its beauty till nowadays.

A place for the leprous

In 1905 the island was used as a place for leprous, where all the leprous of Crete moved, who were at first isolated in “Miskinia” outside Iraklion, making the place a threat for the other population. The state of Crete decided to gather all the leprous who were cadging, living in settlements outside the big cities of Crete, like Meskinia, and took them to the island of Spinalonga. The place feasted hundreds of people suffering from the disease of leprosy, who created their own alive community along with their problems and deprivations. In 1957 and with the use of antibiotics that cured the leprous, the place was closed.

After 1957 and for several decades, the island was not reclaimed and the reconstruction of the old buildings, old fortresses, houses and roads, begun only after the interest of many tourists.

Every summer nowadays, millions of tourists visit Spinalonga by boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka to guide through its ruined buildings, which the archaeological service is trying to preserve.

How to get to Spinalonga

To get to the island of Spinalonga you will have to take the boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka.

From Agios Nikolaos, boats are leaving in the morning and except the transportation to Spinalonga, also offer lunch and swimming at the beaches behind the peninsula Kolokitha, before they return to Agios Nikolaos in the afternoon.

From the port of Elounda, a boat is leaving every hour during the summer months and it takes about half an hour to reach the island of Spinalonga, while often the trip also contains the round of the Kolokitha peninsula.

Little boats also leave from the small village Plaka, a bit northern than Elounda. The trip from Plaka is the fastest, about 10 minutes, because the village is right across Spinalonga.