Page 92 - DOMES_STORIES_2021

EXPLORE / CRETE

From Ancient Greeks to Arab pirates, Ottomans to lepers and beyond, Spinalonga
islet has a rich, profound history.

OWING ITS NAME TO LAT- seeking the security offered by the fore thrown away into the sea. Nev-
IN SPINA [thorn] and lon- fortress in their exploitation of the ertheless, during this period, the
ga [long], Spinalonga was commercial routes of the eastern leper colony supported the econ-
not always an island, if Vene- Mediterranean. It is estimated that omy of the surrounding area. Pa-
tian cartographer Vincenzo Co- by 1834, 80 families lived in Spi- tients were initially housed in ex-
ronelli is to be believed; he record- nalonga. By 1881, the number had isting buildings, while additional
ed that the Venetians cut through a increased to 227 families. construction was carried out in the
portion of the peninsula, creating In 1903, the State of Crete de- ‘30s. The Leper Hospital operated
an islet that measures 85 km² to- cided that the island would house until 1957.
day. It was depopulated in the 7th Crete’s leper community – it would Today, visitors can reach Spi-
century due to Arab pirate raids. go on to become a colony for lep- nalonga via a scenic boat trip across
In 1579, the Venetians built a for- ers from all over Greece, overseen the water to explore the remains of
tress on the ruins of a pre-existing by a director, doctor, nurses, a su- this historic settlement. In this ee-
ancient fortress, which remained perintendent, cleaning staff, a fi- rie yet charming setting, the past
under Venetian rule even after the nancial department and a priest. renders the experience of wander-
1669 Ottoman occupation of Crete. One of its two entrances was a tun- ing around the colony and learn-
The churches of Agios Pantelei- nel known as “Dante’s Gate.” With ing about its history profound. Di-
monas and Agios Georgios were the little government funding they lapidated but with restoration works
built subsequently. In fact, during received, patients were able to go underway, Spinalonga may be As seen from
Domes of
the Cretan War (1645-1669), Spi- down to the docks and buy produce haunted by sadness and memo- Elounda,
nalonga served as a base for refu- from the surrounding area’s fami- ries of tragic times but there is no Autograph
Collection
gees and rebels, consequently fall- lies, who arrived daily. Any prod- doubt that it is a fascinating open- across the
water, Lasithi's
ing to the Turks in 1715. In the ucts not sold on the day were con- air museum worthy of a poignant Spinalonga islet
19th century, several merchants sidered contaminated, could not be visit that pays respect to its former only hints at the
rich history it
and seamen moved to the islet, taken back ashore and were there- inhabitants. hides.

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92
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