The island is located in Crete, in Lasithi prefecture of Mirabello. Its ancient name was Caledon, but after the occupation by the Venetians called Spinalonga (Long spine). Began in 1574, fortified by the Venetians when the Turks had occupied Cyprus and the Venetians understood that soon would come and turn Crete. After the occupation of Crete in 1649 by the Turks, Spinalonga was still in the hands of the Venetians to 1715
The island was occupied by the Turks in 1715 and inhabited by Muslims. In the mid 19th century the number of residents increased as long as the island was the birthplace trade. After 1898 most of the inhabitants left the island. Since 1903 used as a leper colony, where again the first 251 lepers (Cretan origin), which due to both the offensive side and on the other of the transmissibility of the disease previously lived exiled and isolated from the local community and to distant outskirts of cities , in places called "meskinies." The conditions were tough considering that there was no proper medication while the virus of leprosy was contagious and not curable. After 1913 gradually transferred patients from the rest of Greece and other foreign countries, increasing the number of patients in 1000. Spinalonga converted at the time to "International leper colony."
Today Spinalonga declared archaeological site and some buildings being restored. Considered a tourist destination for day trips and swimming. Spinalonga visited over 300,000 people, a number that brings to five the first Byzantine - Post-Byzantine archaeological sites in Greece. However some ruins, remnants of other eras remain to remind these people. Her book Hislop tombstone put in solitary confinement! With reference center Spinalonga, British author Victoria Hislop wrote the novel "The Island", which attempts to break social prejudice, the stigma of the patient. The book, which has been translated into 14 languages, making 'snap' to sales "exceed" the 850,000.
Scenario .... inspired by the one and only scene I've seen in the Greek TV series
the boat goes to eating out on the island pier .. ....... a woman. waiting .... waiting back several leprosy FOOD
following text to be included in the basis of dioramas decided .....
"Walking the path of Spinalonga, he stopped and held his breath. From a hovel around you'll hear the echo of a keen a mother, a sister or the sigh of a man. He left two tears from your eyes and you will see millions of twinkling tears watered down that road ... ".
Epaminondas Remoundakis (Lepers resident of Spinalonga)
Decision to order the following materials-buildings, trees, figures, supplies
perhaps not used all ..... but we need for time for all
my friends always ...... When you start a DIORAMA always reads. everything .. anything that would help me better anapatastiso what made
The last thing I found with emotion rather dddd with sygklonise ....... let me share with you
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One of the historical facts that we learn is that lived Lepers Spinalonga was angry with God, for the reason that their disease was a long and unbearable ordeal. A Gerapetritis priest dared to visit them once and run to St. Panteleimon, which was devastating to the island and, in the company of young people. They say that in the first mode is not pressed soul.
Peismomenoi lepers heard from their cells the singing, and sometimes covers her with their groans and sometimes with their curses. The priest went back though. In this second visit one of our patients tharreta raised the threshold of the temple.
- Papa would sit in your function with one condition though. Will end up with communion. And if your God is so powerful, then you will kameis catalysis and will not be afraid of my leprosy.
The priest egnefse condescendingly. In nearby cells heard the conversation and began to gather different side of the temple, there was a small ruin, with little view of the sanctuary. Paramonefsan the Lepers at the end of Operation and saw the pope kneeling tearful and Sacred Intention to make catalysis.
Months passed. The Lepers were waiting. Thought I would come this time as a patient and not as a priest. But the priest returned healthy and rosy and began with moral anapteromeno hitting the bell of the old chapel.
Since then and for at least ten years Spinalonga was priest. Lepers The restoration of the church themselves, yet restoration and faith. Communion regularly and always peep the priest at the time of the disruption, to ensure that the "miracle of Spinalonga" happen again and again.
To 1957, the discovery of antibiotics and the healing of a leper, the leper colony, the island was closed and deserted. Only the priest stayed on the island until 1962, refers to the lepers until 5 years after their death.
Here, then, a modern silent hero, not honored for his work by anyone, and if you noticed-not quote the name because I just do not know! The know-but-surely God! That's enough for us!
