spinalonga opening times
No regular ferries; 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 - check out program and book The fortifications: its hard to miss the well-preserved walls, towers, and gates that were built by the Venetians in the 16th century to defend against Ottoman invasions. 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. The bus will pick you up in the morning from your hotel or the nearest pick up point and bring you back in the evening. It had a director, a doctor, nurses, caretakers, cleaners, financial service and priest. 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.
People also prefer to start their day with Spinalonga. Stop off in a town with a port like Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka, with time to explore the local sites, and board the boat to the island. Im Chrysoula, born and raised in Athens, Greece. From Agios Nikolaos bus station, transfer to a bus that goes to Plaka. Spinalonga featured in the 1977 British television series Who Pays the Ferryman? Spinalonga, Crete. Leave two tears from your eyes and you will see million tears having watered that road twinkling. Criterion(vi): The use of Spinalonga as a leper colony, the most tragic part of its history, emphasizes the unique character of the island. WebFind all the transport options for your trip from Plka to Spinalonga Island right here. This was to maintain the religious tradition of the Greek Orthodox Church, in which buried persons have to be commemorated 40 days, 6 months, 1, 3 and 5 years after their death. Many day trips and tours are running during this time, and the weather in Crete is stunning. The summer Unguided trips from Heraklion to Spinalonga are 44 per person and include transfers only. Spinalonga is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM during the summer season. It is very beautiful. People normally club together Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni while planning their visit to Spinalonga. The buildings used during the colony still exist, with traces of the Venetian period. WebOpening Hours: Summer: Daily 8:00-19:00. 
Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? 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. There are several boat tour operators in Agios Nikolaos that offer daily trips to Spinalonga. Under the terms of the treaty for the surrender of Chandax (Heraklion) in 1669, Spinalonga remained a Venetian possession. If weather is good, it is open on weekends. The island is a fascinating monumental and historical palimpsest. There, he experienced the tragic reality and was interested in upgrading the conditions of residence and treatment of the unfortunate people of Spinalonga. [5] After the revolution of 1866 other Ottoman families came to the island from all the region of Mirabello. Moreover, due to the leper hospital, Spinalonga is a monument to human pain. Their hard, wretched life did not weaken their will to live. 
In fact, you can see it while standing on the shore of the main island! 
Venetians predicted that Turks would start expanding to the West Mediterranean and decided to build a fort on the island, protecting the whole lagoon of Elounda. Even today there are buildings from the period of the castle town, as two-storey houses with tall yard walls and shops with wide doors and large windows. 
After the establishment of the leper colony, residents from the opposite coast, built the present village of Plaka, just opposite Spinalonga, so as to serve the leper colony. See options Phone: 30-2841041773. Spinalonga hosted hundreds of sufferers, who developed, with the suffering and deprivation, their own vibrant society. WebSpinalonga (Kalydon) 4.5 9,829 reviews #1 of 22 things to do in Elounda Historic Sites Islands Closed now 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About Suggested duration 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The Venetians could not understand the expression, so they familiarized it using their own language, and called it spina "thorn" longa "long", an expression that was also maintained by the locals. WebOperating hours 10: 00- 19.00 hrs Snack: 10:00 19:00 Lunch: 12:00 19:00 VIEW MENU The Resorts cozy bars offer a majestic view of the surrounding area and the island of Spinalonga. Wear a strong sunblock, sunhat and comfortable walking shoes. Opening hours: From April 1st until October 31st, 08:30-20:00 daily Click here to book a boat cruise and guided tour to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos.
Another, version tells that the island got its name from a beautiful woman named Longa that was living in the fort. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. Ever since I read the bestseller, The Island by Victoria Hislop (aka one of the best books set in Greece), I knew I wanted to visit Crete and Spinalonga island. The archaeological site remains closed between November 1st and March 31st, it opens only on request for groups. The island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon. Here, you can take 1-hour cruise to Spinalonga. Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party. The island has been well fortified by the Venetians during their presence in Crete. The sole responsibility for the content of each Tentative List lies with the State Party concerned. Once concluding your venture around the stone-cobbled isle, youll jump back on the boat and head for Vassilakis Estate (an olive oil factory) or Scalani Hills Boutari Winery for a three-glass wine tasting. 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. Other museums and archaeological sites in the same prefecture. Dannielle is the writer behind While Im Young. 
Repairs and alterations to the fort were made before and during the Cretan War (1645-1669). It is a source of inspiration for authors, film directors, artists and musicians. The first boats to arrive are from Plaka as they take the workers in. When is the best time to visit Spinalonga? But its history dates way further back than the 90s, and, originally, a medieval fort was constructed here during the Venetian times to protect neighboring towns. There are also several cafes and souvenir shops on the island and actually the water there is perfect for swimming too. Plan your trip to Crete with the following resources:The best things to do in Crete.The best Cretan beaches. WebOpening Hours The island is accessible from April 1st to October 31st, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm during fair weather conditions. Visit the only hospital on the island a bit further down from the settlement, and discover where the community theatre once operated. Spinalonga Adult ticket 8 , reduced ticket 4 . The summer season is the best time to visit the island. The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international communitys efforts to protect and preserve. WebSpinalonga (Kalydon) 4.5 9,829 reviews #1 of 22 things to do in Elounda Historic Sites Islands Closed now 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About Suggested duration 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Ever since I read the bestseller, The Island by Victoria Hislop (aka one of the best books set in Greece), I knew I wanted to visit Crete and Spinalonga island. Phone: +30 2841041773 Fax: +30 2841022462 The Fortress that the Venetians built can still be seen today and served as a military stronghold right through Venetian and then Ottoman rule until the Cretans evicted the few hundred remaining Turks from the island of Spinalonga in 1903. Finally, I decided to go and see it. Entrance Fee (): 8, Reduced 4 Website: odysseus.culture.gr e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Initially, patients arrived from Crete, but after the unification with Greece in 1913 patients also came from the mainland. Wander through the abandoned village where people used to live from 1903 to 1957. A day trip to Spinalonga costs between 39 and 146 per person. Criterion (i): The fortified islet of Spinalonga is a masterpiece of human ingenuity. 36.65% of people who visit Crete include Spinalonga in their plan, 84.24% of people start their Spinalonga visit around 10 AM - 11 AM, People usually take around 4 Hrs to see Spinalonga, 95% of people prefer to travel by car while visiting Spinalonga. 
Intervention region | Lisbon 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. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. During the first years of Ottoman occupation, the fortress was marginalized and used as a place of exile and isolation. The lepers resided in the Turkish community houses and in modern buildings constructed in the 30s. Enjoy a day tour to Spinalonga from Heraklion as you trek the now-deserted island, a stones throw away from Plaka village. According to Venetian documents, the name of the island originated in the Greek expression stin Elounda (meaning "to Elounda"). Today thousands of tourists visit Spinalonga each summer by boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, for a tour of its ruined buildings, which the Archaeological Service is laboriously trying to maintain. Though the characters were fictional, the story of an isolated In 1903, the Cretan State gathered all lepers who lived in settlements near the major cities of Crete, called Meskinia, and moved them to Spinalonga. [citation needed], In 1715, the Ottoman Turks captured Spinalonga, taking over the last remaining Venetian fortress and removing the last trace of Venetian military presence from the island of Crete. Ticket Price: 20 EUR. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. 
Lunch at a local taverna is included in the Spinalonga excursion. WebOpening Hours The island is accessible from April 1st to October 31st, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm during fair weather conditions. Public buses only run from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos. 
What to do in Heraklion, Crete. The small island of Spinalonga is just off the coast of Crete, which means that it makes for an easy day trip. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. If weather is good, it is open on weekends. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the island, while the sea voyage sometimes includes a sail around the Kolokytha Peninsula. The uncertainty that prevailed among the Ottomans in Crete, because of the revolutionary actions of Christians, forced most residents of Spinalonga to migrate. Thus, the Venetians built a new powerful fortress above the ruins of the ancient fortress of Olounites, which was designed in accordance with the bastion fortification system, by Genese Bressani and Latino Orsini. There are several boat tour operators in Elounda that offer daily trips to Spinalonga. From this point, revel in the views of deep blue ocean hues. They organised their home, fell in love, married, had children. Contribute/Review. We want you to experience the famous Greek Filotimo before you even get there. Lekakis, Stelios (2017). It was originally settled by the Venetians in the 16th century and was fortified to protect against Ottoman invasions. However, once on the island they received food, water, medical attention and social security payments. Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda in East Crete. Premium Joomla Templates FREE High-quality Joomla! Total eligible cost | EUR 383,452.75 It is no coincidence that the small island of Giudecca near Venice was also known as Spinalonga. Thus, the island became a leper colony for the Cretan patients of Hansen's disease, known as leprosy. The village houses were arranged in a stepped pattern across the west and south sides of the islet. With the raised interest of many tourists, the local authorities started in 70s to systematically repair and renovate old buildings, fortifications of the Venetian walls, old houses and roads, and tore the buildings of the hospital down. 31st closed weekdays It may pay to call ahead on +30 28410 22462 / 28361 or check the official website. From Elounda, catch a 30-minute boat ride to Spinalonga island. During the Cretan War (1645-1669), refugees sought shelter on the islet, as did rebels (Chainides) who used it as a base to harrass the Ottomans. 
Crete without the gods (1935). and Werner Herzog's experimental short film Last Words. 
Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film. 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. 
National / regional public financial support | N.A. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed Spinalonga is an excellent and unique example of the use of a historical monument as a leper colony without alterations of its appearance. In 2005, the author Victoria Hislop wrote a gripping novel about Spinalonga, titled "The Island", which won the British Book Award of Newcomer of the Year 2007. Departing Heraklion in a private vehicle from your hotel, sit back and enjoy being driven from one town to the next, and take your own time checking out different spots on your Crete bucket list. Since there is no accommodation on Spinalonga, the tours last only a few hours. Discover its long history from your guide on this fascinating day trip from the Heraklion area. Some tours pit stop in Plaka or Elounda too. The island has a historical significance as a leper colony, where people with leprosy were isolated from the rest of society. See the Church of St George built by the Venetians and the church of Saint Panteleimon where the priest lived (who wasnt a leper), visit the hospital area, the disinfection room, see the Venetian cistern, and climb right to the top of the Venetian fort to take in the breathtaking view before circumnavigating the island on the 1.5km path that the lepers made by demolishing parts of the old fortified walls with dynamite Though the wind can get up the views are sure to dazzle you. [4], At the end of the Ottoman occupation the island, together with the fort at Ierapetra, was the refuge of many Ottoman families that feared Christian reprisals. These are March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September and Oct. 28, as well as the first Sunday of every month from Nov.1 to March 31. This email address is being protected from spambots. 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 A GUIDE TO SCHINOUSSA ISLAND IN THE SMALL CYCLADES. JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps. At the end of the 19th century it is estimated that there were approximately 200 homes and 25 shops or workshops on Spinalonga. Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information. Approval date | 2020-11-13 In 1715, following a siege, the islet was surrendered to the Ottomans, the Venetian garrison left and the remaining 600 inhabitants were taken captive. Subsequently, the region acquired commercial value and became inhabited. WebSpinalonga is open: Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. There are also tours that pick you up from different places in Crete such as: Prices and departure times may vary depending on the tour operator and the type of tour you choose. 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. Spinalonga Adult ticket 8 , reduced ticket 4 . The island also has several cafes and souvenir shops for visitors to enjoy. The book has dominated for 24 weeks in the British top 10 and has been translated into over 15 languages, making Spinalonga and its history known throughout the world. Theres a small museum filled with some photographs from back then, and one or two of the houses have undergone renovation. The islands two churches on the island, Agios Panteleimon and Agios Georgios. Extract "Spinalonga", Werner Herzog's documentary about man from Spinalonga, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spinalonga&oldid=1126901291, Medical and health organizations based in Greece, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Spinalonga-Paradise or Purgatory? Enjoy something extra and end your day trip to Spinalonga with a private winery or olive oil estate tour tastings included. 
Completion date | 2022-12-31 Cheaper tours have group sizes of up to 15 travelers and do not include some ticket prices such as the Spinalonga entrance fee or boat rides. The islet was fortified in antiquity, to protect the ancient city of Olous. The island was abandoned and became desolate, a place not to be spoken about as it was synonymous with suffering, although that didnt stop people from looting it Pieces of original Venetian and Ottoman architecture finding their way across to the luxury hotels in Elounda. 
What to do in Heraklion, Crete. In the late 19th century, the role of the port of Spinalonga was upgraded, since it obtained a license for export trade. [11], The short story "Spinalonga" by John Ware, about a tourist group that visits the island, was included in the 13th Pan Book of Horror.[12]. However, the fortifications of Spinalonga are earlier in date (late 16th c.), and the planning of its fortified enceinte is striking for its successful adaptation to a natural terrain with great variations in altitude, which clearly poses a greater architectural challenge. It symbolizes the concept of incarceration and is synonymous with torment. Archaeological Site in Palekastro of Siteia. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Only hospital on the island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon and musicians sunhat comfortable... The journey from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni while planning their visit Spinalonga! 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