Spinalonga history
At the time of the Cretan war (1645-1669) refugees and rebels (chainides) took refuge in the fortress and used the islet as a base from which to harass the Turks.
The islet finally surrendered to the Turks after a siege in 1715.
The Venetian garrison departed and the rest of the inhabitants were taken prisoner.
After 1715 Spinalonga developed into a purely Ottoman settlement.
Benefitting from the security offered by the fortifications, the Turks continued to build on the Venetian foundations.