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Spinalonga
The small island at the entrance of Elounda is best known as Spinalonga although it has been renamed Kalydon by decree.
The etymology of the name is interesting. It is Italian and means long thorn (Spina-longa).
The reason the Venetians called it so, however, is not because it resembles a long thorn but because they adapted to their own language a Greek composite word "Stinelounda" meaning "to Elounda" (sten-Elounda). Thus, the name of the island is of linguistic interest.
The fortress of Spinalonga is one of the strongest on the whole island of Crete. It was built by the Venetians while they occupied the island and was considered impregnable.
Throughout the 17th century the fortress remained in Venetian hands and was a refuge for Christians fleeing from the Turks. In 1715, however, a Turkish Pasha managed to conquer the castle; after a long siege the Venetians capitulated and a treaty was signed. After that, the castle was inhabited by Turkish families who were afraid of the Christians.
After the Turks were driven out of Crete in 1903, the fortress was turned into a leper colony.
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