Deror_avi · CC BY-SA 3.0 Why visit
Small fortified island off eastern Crete, known for Venetian defences and its twentieth-century history as a leprosy settlement. Venice fortified Spinalonga in the sixteenth century to control Mirabello Bay. The island remained Venetian after much of Crete fell to the Ottomans and later, from 1903 to 1957, housed people with leprosy from Crete and elsewhere in Greece. The visit is strongest when you focus on venetian fortifications, former settlement streets and boat approach across mirabello bay.
What you will see
- Venetian fortifications.
- Former settlement streets.
- Boat approach across Mirabello Bay.
History
Venice fortified Spinalonga in the sixteenth century to control Mirabello Bay. The island remained Venetian after much of Crete fell to the Ottomans and later, from 1903 to 1957, housed people with leprosy from Crete and elsewhere in Greece.
Photographs
Deror_avi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · full attribution on the image credits page.
Visitor tips
- 1
Prioritise Venetian fortifications if you have less time than the full suggested visit.
- 2
Leave enough time for Former settlement streets rather than treating Spinalonga as a quick photo stop.
- 3
Check the current island transport or ferry plan before fixing the day around Elounda; seasonal services and final local connections can change.
About Crete
Minoan palaces, Venetian harbour cities, mountain gorges, monasteries and distinctive beaches.
Open the Greece guide
