Elounda · Lasithi, East Crete · Greece

Spinalonga Fortress

fortressislandhistorygoogle verified

easy

9/10

best: morning, autumn

melancholic, historical, atmospheric

A local would say...

Europe's last leper colony closed here in 1957 — and the stones still carry the weight of everyone who never left.

A small island with a massive Venetian fortress built in 1579 to protect Elounda Bay and the Gulf of Mirabello. It later became one of Europe's last active leper colonies, closing only in 1957. Made famous by Victoria Hislop's novel 'The Island,' the atmospheric ruins are reached by half-hourly ferries from Elounda.