Isiqhingi
Spinalonga
Abantu bendawo abangu-129 bayatusa,
Amacebiso avela kubantu bendawo
Spinalonga is an island located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in Lasithi, next to the town of Plaka Spinalonga, despite its long and turbulent history, is mainly known today as the island of lepers.
Spinalonga is a small island located at the entrance of Elounda lagoon and north of the Gulf of Mirabello. It has an area of 85 acres and its maximum height is 53 meters. The history of the island still inspires awe. It has been a Venetian fortress, a castle colony, a rebel refuge, a place of exile for lepers, a communication link with Cairo during the Second World War. The island has been well fortified by the Venetians during their presence in Crete. From structural and architectural point of view and from an aesthetic view of the whole landscape, the island still retains an unsurpassed beauty. Its original name was Calydon, but the Venetians named it Spinalonga from the Venetian word Spina-Longa, which means long thorn. According to a second weaker interpretation, Spinalonga derives its name by paraphrasing "Stin Elounda”, meaning “In Elounda”. Another, version tells that the island got its name from a beautiful woman named Longa that was living in the fort.
Spinalonga is a small island located at the entrance of Elounda lagoon and north of the Gulf of Mirabello. It has an area of 85 acres and its maximum height is 53 meters. The history of the island still inspires awe. It has been a Venetian fortress, a castle colony, a rebel refuge, a place of exile…
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. Over 300,000 visitors each year visit this charming island by boat, starting from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, which is just 800 meters away. This number brings the island in the first five Byzantine / post-Byzantine archaeological sites in Greece. 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. 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.
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. Over 300,000 visitors each year visit this charming island by boat, starting from Agios Nikolaos, Elound…
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