Today you will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of an island that still inspires awe with its history.
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MON-WED-FRI |
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32.00 EURO |
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Hotel (Heraklion Estate) |
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10:30 |
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ENG-DE-NL-FR-RU-CZ-PL-IT |
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50% |
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Free |
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EXTRA PAID : Entry to Spinalon |
Spinalonga is a small island located in Lasithi , in the province of Mirabello near Elounda . It has also been known as the island of lepers . The ancient name of the island is Caledon but after it was conquered by the Venetians named Spinalonga .
When the Turks invaded Cyprus , the Venetians began fortifying Crete
considering it to be the next target of the Ottomans . Thus they begun fortifying Spinalonga in 1574. Finally, the island was occupied in 1715 by the Turks.
Since 1903, Spinalonga became operational as leper contaiment facility. Initially only concering the Cretans lepers but gradually transferred patients from all over Greece until it finally came to house International Lepers .
The virus of leprosy was contagious and at the time,had absence of treatment. Living conditions were difficult as patients could not cover their basic needs so that they escape from the island in search of food . In 1948 it was discovered in America medicine that cured the deadly disease resulting in a drastic reduction in the number of patients in Spinalonga .
Today Spinalonga has been declared an archaeological site. The British author Victoria Hislop has given special mention to it as he wrote an entire novel about the island of lepers . The novel is called ” The Island ” , that has become a best -seller and has been translated into 14 languages.
Chrissi Island is the most southern as well as the hottest point in Europe with vegetation similar to tropical, with a beautiful "Lebanon" cedar tree forest amongst the sand dunes, probably the last existing in Europe.
What characterizes the area of Elafonissos and makes it such an exotic place, are the little sand islets formed, the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots because of the crushed shell powder.
Use Luxury Sedan Car for 4 hours tour in Cape Sounio. The tour with car can ends in Plaka where you can have lunch. Ideal starting time between 09:00 -10.00. Car Models: Mercedes Benz E-class or S-class, BMW Series 520-740 , Audi A4-A6 series.
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