The fortress was one of the last Venetian strongholds to fall to the Ottoman Empire, holding out until 1715.
In 1903, the Greek government designated the island as a place of exile for leprosy patients, creating a self-governing community.
The island features a 'Dante's Gate,' a tunnel through which new patients once arrived, fearing they would never leave.
At its peak in the 1930s, the colony had its own power generator, school, and even a cinema.
The islet was used as a filming location for the 1977 BBC series 'Who Pays the Ferryman?' and gained international fame through the novel 'The Island'.
Spinalonga has been submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List for its historical significance.
The colony produced its own currency for a brief period to facilitate internal trade among residents.
Residents successfully petitioned for improved living conditions, including the installation of basic infrastructure by the 1930s.
Spinalonga is a fortified islet located in the Gulf of Elounda in northeastern Crete. Originally a Venetian fortress built in 1579, it served as a defensive stronghold against Ottoman forces. The site is most widely recognized as a leper colony, which operated from 1903 until 1957. Visitors can explore the preserved remains of the colony's housing, the former hospital, and the central market street. The islet is enclosed by massive defensive walls that transition from Venetian engineering to Ottoman-era structural modifications. The site remains largely unpopulated today, serving as an open-air historical museum. Archaeological work continues on site, periodically revealing layers of its varied defensive and medical history.
The highest point of the fortress walls provides a panoramic view of the gulf and the surrounding village of Plaka.
Bring a hat and high-SPF sunscreen, as there is almost no shade on the island.
Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip, as the pathways are uneven and rocky.
Carry plenty of bottled water, as there are no shops or vendors selling supplies once you land on the island.
Do not visit at midday during the peak of summer, as heat exhaustion is a significant risk on the exposed paths.
Accessible by boat only; service frequencies decrease significantly during the winter months.
Respect the site as a former place of suffering; refrain from climbing on unstable walls or removing any stones.
