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You are here: Home Crete General Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of Unesco
Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of Unesco
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SpinalogaLocated on the eastern side of Crete, opposite Elounda in Lasithi prefecture, the islet of Spinalonga is known all over the world due to the tragic historic events linked to it. In 1970, the island was designated as a protected archaeological site, where excavations, the demolition of the buildings and the maintenance of the walls began.

Since 1976, under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, efforts were made to include the archaeological park of Spinalonga in the List of World Heritage of UNESCO. But efforts have proved insufficient so far.

Such a significant monument must be protected and be put into the UNESCO list, and that’s something Cretans have never forgotten. The Technical Chamber of Hellas / Department of Eastern Crete (TEE/TAK) team, consisting of mechanical engineers and an architect, has delivered the Phase B Administration Plan to Mayor of St Nicolaos D. Kounelakis. The plan, the final study results of the TEE/TAK team, presents a series of actions in regard to the monument’s coordinated and collective administration.

The team noted that the contents of the study must be discussed after being distributed to other local institutions resulting in the proposals’ improvement through creative dialogue. They called on political assistance from Lasithi authorities as well as all of Crete.

The Administration Plan aims at shaping the protection policies of the environmental and cultural wealth of Spinalonga and the broader region, so as to promote the islet and safeguard the monument’s heritage.

“Spinalonga islet reflects significant cultural values that must be safeguarded and preserved, “the Plan points out.

 

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Last Updated on Friday, 06 July 2012 07:54
 

Comments  

 
+1 #9 Wonderful historic islandTerdello 2012-07-06 08:04
This island was made famous by Victoria Hislop's book, 'The Island,' and that's why we visited it. The former leper colony has so much more history than just that, it was a fortress for many years previously.
Boat trips are available from many coastal resorts nearby, our trip from Elounda took 20 mins each way and cost 10 euros per person, (adults).
Getting off the boat you enter the island via an arch where the lepers would have entered knowing that they would never leave again.
The island has a few rooms with boards up showing old photographs and giving an account of the Island's history. Most of the island is ruined buildings and little paths and nooks and crannies to explore.
It is not an easy walk to the top of the island, the paths are rugged and steep in places although the path around the edge of the island is much easier to manage, being flat and for most part, paved.
You really should take your own refreshments and especially drinks, there is nowhere to buy anything on the island itself. There isn't much shade and the climb will make you very hot.
There are black flags flying on the top of the hill, not sure what they signified but standing by them was quite emotive and eerie.
I thought that it was well worth the cost of the trip and would certainly recommend anyone to visit. They are really missing a trick though not selling so much as an ice-cream on there!
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0 #8 Hot!!Mandlyn 2012-07-06 08:03
Very hot so walking up the steep hills was hard work!
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0 #7 Island of tearsYork9 2012-07-06 08:02
ery historic and moving visit, suggest you read the book first as then it is easily related too, Boat trip from Elounda about 10 euros but you only get 1 hour and no tour guide, Is in process of being re built. worth a visit.
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0 #6 Leper colonyJohhnu77 2012-07-06 08:01
Whilst staying in Sissi Crete we took the Nostos tours boat trip to the tiny island of Spinalonga a former leper colony now deserted.
The boat cost E10 each but well worth it - go for the biggest boat, not only do you have room to move around but it has an English speaking guide who is very knowledgable on Spinalonga.
It costs E2 to enter the island.
The boat leaves Aghios Nikolaos harbour every day at 12.30 & arrives back 4.45/5pm

N.B. If staying at Sissi get the public bus by the little chapel at 9am fare = E3.10
half an hour on the bus (if you go on a wednesday you can see the enormous market before heading down to the pretty little harbour - book your ticket 1st before going for a coffee by the waterside) then when you return make sure you get to the bus station straight away as the only bus directly back to Sissi leaves at 5.30. A good day out.
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0 #5 RE: Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of UnescoFrienf Crete 2012-07-06 08:00
The tour bus hordes arrive and the place is swarming with tourists by 10:30am, so if you can get there early this would be good.

Boats leave from Plaka and cost 8 euro return and take 10 mins leaving every 30 - 40 minutes depending on when the boat operator considers this to be his best time (usually with a boat full of people, they max profits this way)!

An amazing place, great views from the top, and an incredible history, loved it, but due to the massess of people from the tour busses we had to leave, it was almost clostraphobic at times.

There is a 2 euro,entrance fee
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+1 #4 RE: Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of UnescoHisllo889 2012-07-06 07:59
Having read Victoria Hislop's book and others with regard to the amazing story of this island which became a leper colony until, I seem to remember 1953 it was a must for me to visit the first time we visited Crete four years ago. Please read the book and then you will understand why you shiver as you walk into the tunnel to enter the island, understand the crossing in a fisherman's boat from Plaka - yes you really must go to Plaka and take the crossing from there to really understand what it must have been like for the people who were sent over to the island. You could then, perhaps pop into Maria's restaurant - on the other side of the road as you walk up from the jetty as this is one of the oldest restaurants in the village and be warned she serves some of the best food as well, but everyone is made welcome even if you just want a coffee/water - whatever everyone on Crete makes you welcome.
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+1 #3 RE: Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of UnescoPontreett 2012-07-06 07:59
Lots of reasons to go here either by the shorter trip from Plaka or from Elounda harbour ,the sea trip is a delight with excellent views.

The Venetian fortress is in ruins but it is still worth a visit , ironically having held out against a Turkish invasion it later became a refuge for the Ottamans against reprisals when their occupation of Crete came to an end.

It is most known now as a former leper colony made famous in Victoria Hislop's novel and as you enter the stone arch into the lepers street Dantes "abandon all hope ye who enter here " springs to mind and if not actually hell it must have been purgatory for those people ripped from their families to be exiled here .

With the usual Greek laissez faire attitude you can clamber around the island and all the ruins including some parts that are mountain goat territory and which would have UK Health and Saftey official having a fit of the vapours , it is of course all the better for this !

There is also an exhibit for the British seaplane service that used to stop over in the bay on it's way to India in the days of the BritishRaj before intercontinenta l jet travel of course which is interesting and unexpected.
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0 #2 RE: Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of UnescoJogghht 2012-07-06 07:57
Spinalonga is a really interesting island to visit if you like history and archeology, it was also the last leper colony to be closed in Europe. The island has great views to the local fishing village of Plaka and Elounda island. Would highly recommend a visit.
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0 #1 RE: Crete Islet Spinalonga to be Added on the List of World Heritage of UnescoDund UK 2012-07-06 07:57
We did the boat to trip over to Spinalonga and i would highly recommend it to anyone, it was fantastic. I really had a fab time, i had previously read the book the island by Victoria Hislop, based on Spinalonga and had really enjoyed it and going there made it seem so real. It has alot of atmosphere and i really felt a strong sense of history and also sadness on the island. I found it really moving and magical in sorts, especially when visining the graveyards of all the people who had died on the island. Seeing the hospital and their little homes really makes you realise how they made the island a proper 'home' for themselves, but its also so sad knowing people were stuck on their and couldn't see loved ones. If you enjoy history and trips to historical places this is a must.!!!
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