Elounda is a popular seaside destination and is located 10 kilometers north of the city of Agios Nikolaos, in the bay of Mirabello. In the village there are many taverns, cafes and rooms for rent for visitors.
The route from Agios Nikolaos to Elounda is breathtaking, as arriving in Elounda, one can see Elounda, the peninsula of Elounda which is joined to Crete by a very narrow strip of land, Spinalonga, the lepra island, and the entire bay of Mirabello. The bay got its name from the ecstasy of the Venetians who occupied Crete in the 13th century AD. (mira bello means look beautiful!)
The history of Elounda is very old, as there was the ancient city-state of Olus that flourished between 4000 and 3500 BC. Most ruins of the ancient city, which collapsed after a major earthquake, lie submerged at the Kanali site and are visible to divers. The city had 30,000 inhabitants during the Minoan period and was well known throughout the ancient world for its flint mines and the purple color production.
The peninsula of Elounda is opposite Elounda and is joined to Elounda by a very thin strip of land interrupted by the small isthmus of Poros. Very close to the bridge of the isthmus, there are stone windmills that create a unique landscape and have been designated historical monuments. The peninsula of Elounda is suitable for walking, full of bushes, abandoned fields and ruins of past times, small beautiful beaches, such as Kolokytha, and small Byzantine churches, such as those of Agios Loukas and Agios Fokas.
Spinalonga is an uninhabited islet in the gulf of Elounda. It is the second most visited place on Crete, after Knossos. It is popular because of the nature in the area and its history. The Venetians gave it its name from spina lunga (long thorn). In 1904, the island was turned into a leprosy establishment with a curfew. Initially the conditions were good, but over the years, indifference for the maintenance of the infrastructure and the large incoming numbers of patients, led to tragic situations for the lepers. In 1957, with the advent of appropriate antibiotics, the island stopped its work. In 1970, the island was declared a protected archaeological site.
The small village of Plaka is only 5 km north of the central square of Elounda. The traditional houses, the picturesque taverns and the beautiful beaches of Agia Marina and Plaka make the village a very popular destination. The boats that moor at the small port of Plaka take visitors to Spinalonga, which is located directly opposite. The entrance ticket to Spinalonga costs 8 euros.
Another thing that stands out in the area is the numerous 5-star hotels with ultra-luxurious rooms, villas and suites with amazing views of the blue sea and the flowery gardens. Guests, very famous many times, enjoy the feeling of relaxation in an environment of absolute tranquility with excellent services. The hotels offer unforgettable gastronomic journeys, satisfy every requirement to the fullest and organize global conferences and events.
(More articles about Crete on www.gomega.gr)
