Once served as a Venetian stronghold protecting the Mirabello Bay from pirates and possible invaders, Spinalonga island stands out among the historical landmarks of the Elounda area, mainly for its transformation to a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.
The dramatic stories of the thousands of people who lived and died in quarantine inspired the famous writer Victoria Hislop in her bestselling novel The Island. Framed by history and local architecture, Spinalonga is a must-see spectacle for the visitors, located in the heart of the Mirabello Bay.