The small island of Spinalonga, Crete has an interesting history. In antiquity there was a fortress of the Olounites. In 1579 the Venetians built a mighty fortress there, which remained under their rule even after the Ottoman occupation of Crete in 1669. During the last years of the Ottoman occupation, it was a safe refuge of Ottoman families. In 1903, by law of the Cretan government, it was appointed as thte place of stay for the lepers of Crete. It developed into a gathering place for lepers from all over Crete. There they waited patiently for death to liberate them. Nowadays the island is the main tourist attraction of the area. The photo was taken on April 2003.