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  6. Spinalonga Island
  1. Home
  2. Greece’s Best
  3. Topics
  4. DESTINATIONS
  5. Greek Islands
  6. Crete
  7. Spinalonga Island

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Spinalonga Island

Leper island

Spinalonga 1

In the north eastern part of Crete near the town of Elounda–with beautiful boutique hotels and beaches–lies a very unique destination, the island of Spinalonga.

History

In 1579 the Venetians built a fortress on the island to protect it from Turkish invaders. It was also a refuge for Christians during various wars.

In 1715 the Turks defeated the Venetians and occupied it until as late as 1905–the year Crete won its freedom from them.

On Spinalonga

Since then, up until 1957 the island served as a leper colony. Lepers who were previously hidden away from society in caves were shipped out to Spinalonga and they were treated with food and medical care i the houses provided on the island.

A cure for leprosy was found in 1957, and the island was abandoned–a priest being the last person to leave the island in 1962.

Read the full content in the app
iOS App Store Google Play

Crete

History

Text © Rebecca Hall

Images by George M. Groutas, James Preston, VillageHero