EASTERN CRETE

C H A P T E R 2
Spinalonga
Linked to the mainland by a narrow
isthmus, the Spinalonga peninsula
extends as far as a small rocky islet, it too
called Spinalonga. A natural harbour suitable
for small boats, Spinalonga has been known
since the time of the Minoans, and legend
has it that Daedalus, the brilliant architect of
Knossos, created for the inhabitants a very
beautiful statue of Britomartis (the Cretan
Artemis - protectress of hunters and
fishermen). Documents from the fourth
century B.C. attest to the existence of a city,
Olous was a citystate
in Classical
Greek times and
later became an
important Christian
cult centre. Of the
Basilica there
remains only the
floor with its black
and white mosaic
decoration
Olous, which controlled the maritime traffic
of ships coming from Rhodes and Cyprus
and which honoured herself in the fight
against the pirates who infested that stretch
of coast. In the ninth century Olous was
occupied by the Saracens, but not long
afterwards the entire city crumbled thanks
to a terrible earthquake which was followed
by the sinking of the isthmus. There are few
traces of Olous still visible on the surface:
most of the city was swallowed by the
waters. On the partly-swampy terrain the
foundations of an early Christian basilica of
the seventh century with precious mosaic
paving, with floral and geometric motifs,
dolphins and inscriptions in Greek have
been discovered.
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