The island was a refuge to Christians under threat from Saracens. During the latter days of Turkish domination, it also became a secure place for Turks in fear of reprisals from Christians. The Turks tried to attack the Greek rebels (unsuccessfully ) on the 'mainland.' Turks from Mirabello, Sitia and Iearapetra went to the island. Most of the Turkish residents left the island by 1903, when Crete united with Greece. That year lepers were relocated to Spinalonga from Miskinias near Heraklion. The island became a leper colony until the mid to late 1950's.
Lepers brought people from Elounda and Plaka as laundry staff. The Plaka/ Elounda residents were poverty -stricken and had no choice, they were exploited. Some lepers had as great a chance of survival as the starving residents on the 'mainland' due to shortages of both food and water. Some lepers ran profitable businesses and were provided with food, clothing and funding. The truly sad fact is the children born to lepers were taken away and adopted out or sent to family members. The government ensured the children were provided with jobs later on.
Article source:http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g189416-d5475/Elounda:Crete:Spinalonga.Kalydon.html
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