This is a small islet located in the entrance of Mirabello Bay across Elounda; however, it has a long history. During antiquity, the fortress of Olouniton was built there to protect the town of Olounda, i.e. today’s Elounda. During the Venetian occupation, the Venetians erected a new stronger fortress in 1574 with double walls and 35 canons, trying to protect the bay from the Turks. The fortress played an important role during the Cretan uprising, since the Cretans took refuge in there. During that time, some repairs and alterations took place and two churches were built.
During the Ottoman Empire, several Ottoman families lived on the island, who exploited commercially the port, and buildings from that period, like two-story houses and commercial properties, are still on the island. The most dramatic page in Spinalonga’s history was written in 1903-1957, during which several people suffering from Hansen disease (leprosy) were exiled to the island. Initially, only sick people from Crete were sent there, while later people from all over Greece ended up living in the buildings from the Ottoman period. The story of Spinalonga became the topic of the popular bestseller “The Island” as well as a successful TV series based on the book. Currently, one can visit Spinalonga by boat, departing from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka. It is considered one of the most important sea fortresses in the