The abandoned leper colony on the island of Spinalonga is located in the Lasithi prefecture on Crete, opposite of Elounda. This unoccupied island is a popular tourist attraction and known for its small pebble beaches and shallow waters. It is easily accessed from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos with daily tourist boats departing from both towns. In 1970 the island was designated as a protected archaeological site, and excavations and other works began. Under the aegis of the Greek Ministry of Culture, efforts were made in 1976 to include the island's archaeological park in the List of World Heritage of UNESCO, but efforts have proved insufficient so far. Such a significant monument must be protected and be put into the UNESCO list, and that’s something Cretans have never forgotten. The Technical Chamber of Hellas / Department of Eastern Crete (TEE/TAK) team, consisting of mechanical engineers and an architect, has delivered the Phase B Administration Plan to Mayor of St Nicolaos D. Kounelakis. The plan, the final study results of the TEE/TAK team, presents a series of actions in regard to the monument’s coordinated and collective administration. The team noted that the contents of the study must be discussed after being distributed to other local institutions resulting in the proposals’ improvement through creative dialogue. They called on political assistance from Lasithi authorities as well as all of Crete.
Original Article in Greek - newsnow
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