Spinalonga history is long, dark, and shrouded in mystery. Spinalonga is a small, quaint island located in the Elounda Gulf in the Lassithi region in Crete, Greece.
You can access the island from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka. You can hop on a boat from Elounda or Plaka to visit and explore Spinalonga Island in Crete.
The uninhabited island attracts people to its abandoned fortress and buildings. The island’s illustrious beginnings require a deep dive though.
Spinalonga – the Island with Intricate History
Spinalonga History— Past
Did you know Spinalonga didn’t start as an island? Before we can unscramble this mystery, let’s take you back to the Minoan era.
Spinalonga: a Protector During the Minoan Period
Spinalonga served as the guard and protector during the Minoan period. The island protected the harbour of the ancient city of Olounda or Olous.
Researchers discovered remnants of the city in the region. Another interesting titbit is that Olous is one out of the hundred cities the Greek author Homer mentioned in his writings.
Olous became one of Crete’s major cities in the northeast region. Since the city served as a structured sanctuary, it managed to develop its own currency and became a vital harbour.
Unfortunately, a large area of the city now sits underwater. Before it sank, it flourished under the Byzantine Empire.
Spinalonga’s Byzantine Period of Boundless Success
Spinalonga reached new heights under the Byzantine Kingdom. However, an Arab invasion in the 8th century AD threatened the livelihood of the inhabitants, causing them to locate inland.
The Arab occupation lasted from 827 to 961 and then the Byzantine Empire took control of the region again. Their rule lasted from 961 to 1204. Subsequently, the Venetians sought to claim Spinalonga and succeeded in 1211.
Venetian Period: The Birth of Spinalonga Island
The Venetians recognised Elounda harbour’s worth and aimed to take full advantage of it.
They established saltpans in the bay’s shallow waters and traded local agricultural goods. The Venetians were aware of the value of the region and the imminent threat posed by the fast-approaching Ottoman Turks.
They knew they needed to take drastic measures to protect themselves against a possible invasion. For that reason, they upgraded their existing defences and created more fortresses based on the latest bastion system of fortification.
The New Fortress on the Island of Spinalonga
To build the new fortress, it’s assumed that the Venetians destroyed a section of the Elounda peninsula. As a result, in 1526 the small island was created. This led Spinalonga to become one of the Mediterranean’s most powerful and effective sea fortresses.
They used the remains of the ancient city’s walls to create the fortifications. The complex included stern towers and tall double walls, with the Venetians additionally placing 35 cannons on the island. Work on the fortress was completed in 1579.
The Fall of Crete Under the Ottomans
Even though Crete fell to the Ottomans in 1669, the Venetians managed to hold a firm grasp over Spinalonga Island.
In 1715, after years of resistance, the Venetians finally loosened their grip on the island and gave its possession to the Ottomans.
Ottoman families sought refuge on the island due to the protection it provided, thanks to its defences.
The mid-19th century witnessed merchants and sailors using the island to regulate the Eastern Mediterranean’s maritime routes.
In 1903, the Ottomans departed the island and once again, it became a part of Greece, and then the island became known by another moniker, “the island of the living dead.”
The Hidden History of Spinalonga as a Leprosy Island of Greece
When Crete gained its independence from the Ottomans in 1898, it became the Cretan State and joined Greece in 1913.
After the liberation of Crete, only a few residents remained on Spinalonga Island with the last of the Turkish residents leaving it in 1903.
In the meantime, the early 19th century unleashed a terrible illness called leprosy.
Leprosy is a long-term bacterial disease that affects the eyes, respiratory tract, skin, and nerves, and leaves the face and limbs deformed. This unfortunate disease made its way to Greece in 1903.
At the start, they believed leprosy to be hereditary but later it was discovered that, in fact, it was contagious. As a result, Greece took steps to isolate the infected population by sending them to the islet of Spinalonga where the leper colony of Crete was established.
Greece’s Leprosy Island – a Tale of Tragedy
The living conditions of the leper colony of Spinalonga along with the mishandling of the entire situation caused the island’s new residents a lot of distress. For instance, they didn’t have running water and doctors misdiagnosed people.
In 1936, doctors forced 21-year-old Epaminondas Remountakis, a third-year law student, to live on Spinalonga Island.
Initially, he had tried to hide his diagnosis after years of struggling with it. Once there, he went on to establish the “Brotherhood of the Sick of Spinalonga” with the aim to improve the island’s living conditions and committed to fulfilling his mission.
His efforts paid off and houses were whitewashed, and later a public cleaning service opened in Spinalonga. Additionally, a cinema and a theatre were built, classical music blasted on the island, emitting from a loudspeaker. At night, a power-generating device powered the streetlamps. The leper community formed as a result.
Spinalonga Island and The Leper Colony
The island’s residents formed a community built on more than just survival. They fell in love, married, and became parents to children born without ever contracting leprosy. A school, coffee shop, a barbershop, and a church opened on the island.
The leprosy-free priest Chrysanthos Katsoulogiannakis volunteered to live on the island and run the St. Panteleimon Church.
Soon, a way off the island came in the form of a vaccine.
In 1948, Greece began to administer the vaccines and gradually started to evacuate people from Spinalonga Island with the last inhabitants leaving in 1957.
The last person who left the island was the priest, in 1962.
When the illness swept Greece, around 400 people resided on the island but records suggest over 1,000 lepers from Greece, and foreign nations were sent to live there. Once the state evacuated everyone, they closed the island.
Presently, Spinalonga, Crete is open to the public. You can learn more about the history of Spinalonga by purchasing or borrowing books.
Spinalonga History Turned into Books and Movies
You can brush up on Spinalonga history and the life of the lepers by reading the books, “The Island” and “Yannis.”
Spinalonga Book Yannis by Beryl Darby
The Spinalonga book “Yannis” tells a gripping true tale of Yannis, a young man with leprosy. After being admitted to a Cretan hospital, they transferred him to a hospital in Athens. To his dismay, he witnesses the awful conditions of the hospital.
The cramped hospital lacks basic amenities, proper food, and only carries basic medication. The poor conditions cause the patients to revolt, and as a result, their uprising lands them on Spinalonga Island.
The leper colony sits across the water from his village, Plaka. Yannis, knowing his family is close yet so far struggles to live.
It also tells us about the experiences of his loved ones in the village. “Yannis” is about love, losses, and survival. A mesmerising and heart-wrenching read that’s bound to pull at your heartstrings.
Spinalonga Book The Island by Victoria Hislop
Another book about Spinalonga is “The Island”, a book based on true events. It is about a girl, Alexis, searching for answers while considering making a big life-altering decision. She wants to learn about her mother’s past. A past, her mother has stayed quiet about for far too long.
The only hint her mother has ever given her is how she spent her childhood in a small Cretan village before relocating to London.
Alexis wants to complete the puzzle, so she tells her mother her plan to travel to Spinalonga, Crete. Her mother hands her a letter to give it to an old friend. Before she leaves for Crete, the mother tells her daughter that through her friend she will get the answers she desperately seeks.
Alexis arrives in Plaka, only to spot the abandoned Spinalonga Island, the former leper colony of Crete.
The mother’s friend tells her about her great-grandmother and her children who were marred by tragedy and war. She learns about her close connection with the leper colony and the secret that haunts them to this day.
Book’s review: “I’ve read the book countless times and it’s bloody brilliant.” Maria Jax
“The Island” is an absorbing tale that has won several accolades. Selling millions of copies, the novel is a number one bestseller in 2006.
When Spinalonga Island’s history came into focus, people were curious to visit it. When they went, the island enamoured them by its serenity and beauty.
Hislop’s novel drew attention to Spinalonga in Crete. Greece made her an honorary Greek citizen for promoting Greek culture and history.
Furthermore, her dramatic novel was turned into a TV series called “To Nisi.”
Spinalonga Island Film “To Nisi”
“To Nisi” is a Greek TV series based on Victoria Hislop’s best-selling novel, “The Island.” The series were met with rave reviews and critical acclaim. Its premier broke TV records — 3.55 M viewers tuned in! Its second episode beat its own record by recording 3.69 M viewers.
With a budget of 4M €, it’s one of the most expensive TV shows in the history of Greek telecasts.
Review: “I’ve watched all 26 episodes twice and it’s simply one of the most wonderful and moving series I’ve ever seen.” Taffy Jones
The series consists of 26 episodes. The TV adaptation of the novel gives fans new stories and characters not present in “The Island.”
They took the author’s blessing to make the additions and also because they needed to stretch the series to make it a full season.
If you have read the book, not only will your favourite parts of the book come alive but the show will also introduce you to different characters and tell different stories. You will still thoroughly enjoy the series even if you haven’t read the novel.
Visiting Spinalonga Island Information
Tickets to Visit Spinalonga
- Full Ticket: 8€ and Reduced Ticket: 4€
- Children under 5 are free
Opening Hours:
- Winter Opening Hours: Closed from Nov 1st to Mar 31st. Large groups can request access to the island in the winter.
- Summer Opening Hours: Opens Apr 1st to Oct 31st 8:30 to 18:00 each day.
How to Access Spinalonga Island
Plaka to Spinalonga
- 5 min by boat
- 10€ return
Elounda to Spinalonga
- 25 min by boat
- 12€ return
Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga
- No ferry
- The trips to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos are mostly organised tours
Explore Spinalonga History with Tours in Crete
You can book Spinalonga tours and explore the island’s history. Here are some popular ways to discover it:
Spinalonga Island Tour from North Crete
The tour starts with visiting Malia and tasting the famous Cretan olive oil in a local factory. The Spinalonga tour sets off with you getting in a boat and sailing to the former leper colony. While there, you can roam the streets, see the houses, churches, and discover the ruins of the Venetian fortress.
The tour includes swimming followed by a delicious barbecue lunch. The trip also offers visiting Agios Nikolaos.
Swimming in the waters of Crete is hassle-free as there is no danger of shark attacks in Greece, but you should be careful of other sea creatures!
Spinalonga Island Tour from Agios Nikolaos
A full-day guided Spinalonga Island Tour
The tour includes free pickup and drop-off from your hotel and lunch at Plaka. You will have an incredible time exploring Spinalonga Island, which starts from Agios Nikolaos.
With your guide, you will cruise in a boat around the island, discovering its ancient ruins and natural beauty. Your guide will also tell you the tale of the leper colonies, pirates and Venetian armies that used to reside on the island.
From Agios Nikolaos: Guided Boat Cruise to Spinalonga
Once you board a boat at Agios Nikolaos, you will cruise to Mirabello Bay and have a swim at Kolokitha Bay. You will have an hour spent at Spinalonga Island.
Elounda and Spinalonga Island Cruise
Crete Elounda and Spinalonga Island Day Trip
Your tour guide will take you to Elounda and from there, you will get into a boat to reach Spinalonga. The island, a former leper colony, will give you an insight into the history of Spinalonga.
The Spinalonga trip includes a swim in Mirabello Bay, later followed by a BBQ lunch. The trip ends with a sightseeing tour of the beautiful harbour of Agios Nikolaos and its famous bottomless lake.
Spinalonga Island Tour from Heraklion
Tour from Heraklion to Spinalonga Island
You will travel by bus and then boat to reach Spinalonga, the former leprosy island in Crete. On your trip, you will explore captivating and serene beaches of Kolokitha Bay, and Agios Nikolaos. Lastly, you will learn about the history of the deserted island of Spinalonga, Greece.
Your day will then end with an appetising barbecue lunch.
The trip covers transport, a professional guide, a boat ride, and lunch. It will cost you 8€ to enter Spinalonga Island.
History of Spinalonga
Your take on Spinalonga History: It’s Riveting, Historical, and Fascinating! Spinalonga is a Must-Visit!
