Spinalonga
The Spinalonga Peninsula with its impressive fortress lies opposite Elounda and is joined to its eastern shore by a narrow bridge. Its high walls were built in 1570 and used to be one of the most powerful fortresses of Venetian Crete. Spinalonga came to be synonymous for human misery as in 1903 the castle was turned into a leper colony. It was consequently also known as the “Isle of Tears”. The leper colony lasted until 1957 and today this islet attracts thousands of visitors who are attracted by its unique history and architecture. When one had this awful disease in those days you were transported to Spinalonga for the rest of your life, the patients therefore put a lot of effort in making the island their home and detail was especially given to their homes. Ironically they also built a church on the little island and when it was finally done, Dapson (the cure against leprosy) was brought on the market….
There are quite a few interesting anecdotes and stories on Spinalonga; one is that even people that thought (politically) different were transported under the excuse of having leprosy to the “Isle of Tears” as well. These were mostly people of the surrounding villages of Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka. The BBC production "Who pays the ferryman" was based on this “boat trip” to Spinalonga. Naturally boats were also known to deliver provisions to the people on Spinalonga, but who paid the ferryman? Another story has it that in Minoan times a gold coin was put in the oral cavities of the dead; this was done to ensure a safe and sure passage to the hereafter. Which or what is true remains an open question but fact is that Spinalonga proofs to be an interesting sight.
There are many organized trips to the island of Spinalonga but one could also charter a little boat from nearby Plaka, Elounda or Agios Nikolaos to visit this impressive island.
