The Island Of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga lies at the entrance to the Bay of Elounda, opposite the village of Plaka, and ten minutes by boat from Elounda at the far side of the bay.

Due to its strategic position, the island has been fought for and won by both the Venetians and by the Turks.Even so, it would never had achieved notoriety had it not been designated a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.

Cut off from the mainland, there was no escape for those unfortunate enough to catch leprosy. In 1957, with the discovery of a long awaited cure, just over 30 patients were able to leave the island, to lead a normal life within their communities.

Our recommended books while each describing the plight of the lepers, do so in ways which complement each other and do not overlap.