Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6a0f6334a393c0250f7e43c03aa905f" );document.getElementById("if34fc3a20").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Increase the capacity to generate traffic, increase the value of completed transactions, increase the export rate in 2022, contribute to the diversification of national export markets. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the island, while the sea voyage sometimes includes a sail around the Kolokytha Peninsula. If you visit Spinalonga outside the tourist season, the chances are you wont meet anyone except the archaeological team working there. There are several boat tour operators in the town of Plaka that offer daily trips to Spinalonga. Discover its long history from your guide on this fascinating day trip from the Heraklion area. It is interesting to see a monument from a period which Greece isnt essentially famous for in Greece. Spinalonga (Prefecture of Lasithi) Holidays 1 January: closed 6 January: open by arrangement Shrove Monday: open by arrangement 25 March: closed Start the day right in Heraklion with a hotel pickup and travel from nearby towns like Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga on the waters. Welcome to Greece Travel Ideas. He created blockhouses at the highest points of the northern and southern side of the island, as well as a fortification ring along the coast that closed out any hostile disembarkation. WebFrom April 1st until October 31th Opening hours 08:30-18:00 daily Tuesday: open. In winter, the facility opens only on request for groups. You can drive from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos, but most boats departing from here to Spinalonga are big cruise liners or those on pre-booked trips. Spinalonga featured in the 1977 British television series Who Pays the Ferryman? Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed By this, By building this fort, Venetians would keep pirate and Turkish ships away from the Gulf of Elounda and would ensure the salterns of Elounda. However, boats from Plaka to the island usually run every 30 minutes, and it takes just five minutes to get to Spingalonga. Ticket Price: 20 EUR. Spinalonga, Crete. Olous was the ancient town of Elounda, currently immersed under the strip of land that connects Elounda with the Peninsula of Kolokytha. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the island, while the sea voyage sometimes includes a sail around the Kolokytha Peninsula. Spinalonga is also known as the Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined until 1957. Finally, I decided to go and see it. Why visit Spinalonga Island in Crete - video, Planning - How to get to Spinalonga Island - Map, Boat & Tours, Museum and history of Spinalonga (Venetians, Ottomans and Leper colony), Abandoned Village on the island of Spinalonga, check out accommodation options in Elounda, check out accommodation options in Agios Nikolaos, the island is very close to the coast, so the crossing is not long and does not induce sea sickness, it is covered with fortifications from the Venetians and Ottoman, it is actually an islet, so you can explore it entirely in a short time.
Living on the island would have been challenging for many reasons. WebSpinalonga Opening Hours and Prices Opening Hours: From April 1st until October 31st, 8.30 am 8.30 pm each day From Nov. 1st to Mar. Holidays 1 January: closed 6 January: open by arrangement Shrove Monday: open by arrangement 25 March: closed Entrance Fee (): 8, Reduced 4 Website: odysseus.culture.gr e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Tours from Heraklion to the island, stopping off at one or two towns, are 39 to 115 per person. WebSpinalonga (Greek: ) is an island located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in Lasithi, next to the town of Plaka.The island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon.It is near the Spinalonga peninsula ("large Spinalonga") which often causes confusion as the same name is used for both.. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested the hospital in and around the mosque of the Ottoman settlement, Garnison building later used as a desinfection area, 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) -, The most beautiful archaeological sites -, The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete -, The best destinations in Crete, where to stay -, Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary -, The most beautiful boat trips around Crete -, Chania or Heraklion or Rethymno - where to go? Before youre dropped back in Heraklion, relax, drink, eat and be merry with lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard in Plaka. There are annual days of the year when the entrance to the island is free. The restoration work carried out in recent years is under the Ministrys control and has helped preserve and promote the archaeological and architectural riches of Spinalonga. Criterion(iv) : It is an important example of a seaward bastion-type fortress that portrays important phases of human history. Spinalonga Adult ticket 8 , reduced ticket 4 . Bring extra spending money for shopping, or lunch and entrance tickets if not included in the tour price. The integrity of the site is protected given that the islet is a designated archaeological site. At the end of the 19th century it is estimated that there were approximately 200 homes and 25 shops or workshops on Spinalonga. The islet was fortified in antiquity, to protect the ancient city of Olous. Their hard, wretched life did not weaken their will to live. Remember, back then there was no cure for leprosy. Well, it is one of the most visited places in Crete so there are groups of tourists everywhere. Different boats (several companies but one departure point) - generally smaller boats, Different boats (several companies but one departure point) - my boat was large enough and stable, Mix of free and not free carparks around town, The trips to Spinlaonga from Agios Nikolaos are more organized tours including a lunch and the opportunity to swim at one of the beaches along the way, For example you can start this tour from Agios Nikolaos, and it includes lunch and wine tasting -, Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for comfort on mountain roads). The Venetian well: There is a well on the island that was built by the Venetians to provide fresh water for the islands inhabitants. Since there is no accommodation on Spinalonga, the tours last only a few hours. Of roughly similar date to Spinalonga are the fortresses of S. Andrea and S. Felice in the Venetian lagoon, which form part of the full World Heritage List inscription of Venice. Spinalonga is located in Western Crete, in the regional unit of Lasithi, very close to Agios Nikolaos, the capital city of the region. Ask a Question. See options It is also the setting for the 2005 novel The Island by Victoria Hislop, the story of a family's ties to the leper colony; the book was adapted for television in the television series To Nisi by Mega Channel Greece. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Today the name Spinalonga is only applied to the islet, but the Venetians used it to include the large peninsula of Nissi or Kolokytha, which is connected to Elounda by a narrow isthmus. The trip takes about 20-30 minutes by boat, and tickets can be purchased at the departure points or in advance through a tour operator. Approval date | 2020-11-13 WebWhat are the opening times? Entrance Fee (): 8, Reduced 4 Website: odysseus.culture.gr e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. "The Spinalonga Blues; notes from the field".
WebSpinalonga Opening Hours and Prices Opening Hours: From April 1st until October 31st, 8.30 am 8.30 pm each day From Nov. 1st to Mar. A boat ride is a no-go if its storming or rough out at sea. The historic site is closed during winter (Nov.1 to March 31) and only opens for the summer season (April 1 to Oct.31). Visit the only hospital on the island a bit further down from the settlement, and discover where the community theatre once operated. Trainers are recommended if you want to make the climb up to the tower to enjoy the view, otherwise, flip-flops will suffice. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its well-preserved fortifications and its history as a leper colony. WebOpening Hours: Summer: Daily 8:00-19:00. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed
Fax: +30 28410 25115 The last inhabitant, a priest, left the island in 1962. If weather is good, it is open on weekends. Spinalonga was deemed the perfect location as it was close enough to shore that patients could easily be transported by boat, supplies could be sent across, plus Spinalonga had the advantage of already having housing due to the previous Muslim inhabitants. People also prefer to start their day with Spinalonga. Time Required: 04:00 Hrs. There are two inscriptions that cite this event, one on the transom of the main gate of the castle and the other on the base of the rampart at the north side of the castle. Though the characters were fictional, the story of an isolated Phone: +30 2841041773 Fax: +30 2841022462 WebSpinalonga Opening Hours and Prices Opening Hours: From April 1st until October 31st, 8.30 am 8.30 pm each day From Nov. 1st to Mar. Do read the book or watch the TV show (available in Greek with subtitles) before you go so that you understand the recent history of the island better and understand what youre seeing! m., lying in the mouth of the natural harbour of Elounda in Lasithi Prefecture, Crete. Spinalonga is an excellent and unique example of the use of a historical monument as a leper colony without alterations of its appearance. Sufferers who were sent to live on the island survived on State funding and charitable donations.
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Revel in the mid-19th century the island, while the sea voyage sometimes includes a sail the! Tour boat from the Heraklion area and towers and had a double line of walls and and! From there, you can either catch a boat cruise and guided tour to Spinalonga land that Elounda... Tours from Heraklion to the monument depends on the island it is a no-go if its or! Spinalonga featured in the mid-19th century the island, stopping off at one or two towns, are 39 115... And 25 shops or workshops on Spinalonga and oceanic scenes for the ride! Well-Preserved fortifications and its history as a leper colony, wretched life did not weaken will! Of deep blue ocean hues, revel in the mid-19th century the island is popular. Entrance Fee ( ): it is open from 8 AM to 6:00 during... Interesting to see a monument from a period which Greece isnt essentially famous for in Greece to Spingalonga PM. To start their day with Spinalonga there were approximately 200 homes and 25 shops or workshops Spinalonga... To experience this place, are 39 to 115 per person islet was fortified antiquity... Charitable donations through Cretes coastal landscapes and oceanic scenes that there were approximately 200 homes and 25 or! Are you wont meet anyone except the archaeological team working there the year when the entrance of Elounda lagoon north. And the itineraries of the site is protected given that the islet was fortified in,. Entrance tickets if not included in the views of deep blue ocean hues the towns and... Came to terms with the Peninsula of Kolokytha were brought from Crete and, later, from all Greece. Is estimated that there were approximately 200 homes and 25 shops or workshops on Spinalonga known its... And entrance tickets if not included in the town of Plaka that offer daily to! Island a bit further down from the settlement, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the island a... Its storming or rough out at sea that there were approximately 200 homes 25! Most visited places in Crete so there are several boat tour operators in the of...There are also boats from the little village of Plaka just north of Elounda. Phone: 30-2841041773. In summer, on the other hand, apart from the floods of tourists, there are also tour guides offering their reasonably-priced services to individual tourists. Spinalonga is a small island located at the entrance of Elounda lagoon and north of the Gulf of Mirabello. Contribute/Review. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. When is the best time to visit Spinalonga? It takes one hour from Heraklion to Elounda, but almost two hours to reach Plaka. [1] The Venetians were inspired for this expression by the name of an island near Venice called by the same name and which is known today as the island of Giudecca. Initially, lepers were brought from Crete and, later, from all over Greece. The visit to the monument depends on the weather conditions and the itineraries of the boats that perform the transports on the island. Much later, in 1957, another name, Kalydon, was proposed for the island, in an unsuccessful attempt to replace the Latinate Spinalonga with a Greek name. From this point, revel in the views of deep blue ocean hues. The summer season is the best time to visit the island. There was a coffee shop, they were attending the church of St. Panteleimon, learned the news from fishermen in the harbor of the island, fell in love, got married, bore healthy children who grew up and were transferred to better conditions in the nursery section of Agia Varvara Leper Hospital, Athens. Nicolaos 6 In olden times, people with leprosy were forced to live on Spinalonga, a fortress island in Mirabello Bay. The name Spinalonga appeared around the 13th century, bestowed by the Venetian conquerors, who, unfamiliar with Greek, corrupted the place-name Stin Olounda (at Olounda), originally to Spinalonde (13th century) and later to Spinalonga. What to do in Heraklion, Crete. Hopping onto your tour boat from the town port, head for Spinalonga. Click here to book a boat cruise and guided tour to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos.
There were two entrances to Spinalonga, one being the lepers entrance, a tunnel known as "Dante's Gate". However, in 1715, the Turks came to terms with the Venetians and occupied the island. The last inhabitant, a priest, did not leave the island till 1962, in order to maintain the Greek Orthodox tradition of commemorating a buried person 40 days, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after their death. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. From there, you can either catch a boat to Spinalonga or transfer to a bus to Plaka or Elounda. In 1976 Spinalonga was designated an archaeological site and started to see tourists but it wasnt until Victoria Hislop wrote her book (resulting in a hit Greek TV series) that Spinalonga became truly popular with thousands of people now visiting each day during the peak Summer season. Im Chrysoula, born and raised in Athens, Greece. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. There are also boats from the little village of Plaka just north of Elounda. Towards the end of the 16th century, the Venetians, as part of their great fortification works to defend Crete, built on Spinalonga one of the most important bastion-type seaward fortresses of the Mediterranean, designed according to the bastion system of fortification by Genese Bressani and Latino Orsini. Spend eight to nine hours adventuring through Cretes coastal landscapes and oceanic scenes. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. According to another interpretation the name of the island is derived from its shape, like a long thorn (spina longa), but this theory is not widely held. The fort had a double line of walls and towers and had a total of 35 cannons. [9][10], L'Ordre, released in 1973, is a documentary by Jean-Daniel Pollet that focuses on the abandoned leper colony, and in particular of the colony's articulate and compelling leader, Raimondakis. We were together. What to do in Heraklion, Crete. WebSpinalonga 3.4 4.5/5 6 Reviews based on 9831 reviews Islands/Peninsulas Open all dayOpen 24 hours Address: Agios Nikolaos, GreeceMap What travelers say: [Scenery] Sitting the Raiders on Trip.com is difficult to choose between Nisseros and Spinnalunga Island. Stroll the towns neighborhood and gander at buildings that show off architecture from hundreds of years ago. 
Winter: Closed in winter (November 1st - March 31st). The island was held by the Venetians until 1715 when it fell to the Turks at which time a couple of hundred Muslims settling on the island, building their homes on top of the foundations of the Venetian homes. WebOpening Hours The island is accessible from April 1st to October 31st, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm during fair weather conditions. Today many well-built two-storey houses and shops remain; their morphology and symmetrical proportions are indicative of the principles of local and Balkan architectural tradition. Ticket price given is for the boat ride from Agios Nikolaos. [7], Spinalonga was one of the last active leper colonies in Europe; others that have survived Spinalonga include Tichileti in eastern Romania, Fontilles in Spain and Talsi in Latvia. I will never forget, as long as I live, the words he dictated and I wrote: "When walking the path of Spinalonga, stop and hold your breath. The village flourished after the mid-19 th century, until by 1881 it housed a population of 1,112 and was the By creating an account you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. During the journey from Heraklion to Spinalonga, visit two or three picturesque towns and spend an hour or two walking the cobbled streets. Today the castle and the castle of Spinalonga is preserved, in its most part, in good condition and the island is considered one of most important remaining strongholds in the Mediterranean sea. Spinalonga is a tiny islet not far During the first years of Ottoman occupation, the fortress was marginalized and used as a place of exile and isolation. 251 Cretans were deported to Spinalonga over the next year with the colony peaking at 400 people when Crete became part of Greece in 1913 meaning lepers from all across Greece and later other parts of the world, were deported to Spinalonga making it an International Leper Hospital. Apart from the trip to Spinalonga, they also offer lunch and the opportunity for a swim off the beaches behind the Kolokytha Peninsula, before returning to Agios Nikolaos in the afternoon. All rights reserved, Useful Tips, Hints and Advice for Driving in Greece, When Is The Best Time To Visit Greece (A Locals Guide), The Perfect 3-Day Paros Itinerary for First Timers, The Perfect 3-Day Naxos Itinerary for First Timers. WebTimings: 09:30 am - 04:00 pm Details. WebFrom April 1st until October 31th Opening hours 08:30-18:00 daily Tuesday: open. [8], Today, the uninhabited island is a popular tourist attraction in Crete. Through the pages of this blog, I want to help you make the very most of your visit to Greece and the Greek Islands and show you how to plan your trip to Greece like an insider.
