Description of the attraction
Off the coast of the northwestern part of Crete, there are two small uninhabited islands known as the Gramvousa Islands. A small wild rocky island with a minimum of vegetation is called Agia Gramvousa. The second island, Imeri Gramvousa, is notable for softer landscapes, a good beach and harbor. On Imeri Gramvousa today you can see the remains of Venetian fortifications and the ruins of buildings that were built by the Cretan rebels who lived on the island during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830).
The Venetian fortress on Imeri Gramvousa was built in 1579-1584 as a defensive structure from the Ottoman Empire, but already in 1588 it was destroyed due to a lightning strike in the powder store. The fortress was restored by 1630. The structure was almost triangular in shape, where each side was approximately 1000 m.
When the Ottoman Empire took over Crete in 1669, Gramvousa, along with the fortresses of Souda and Spinalonga, were left under the jurisdiction of Venice in order to provide some protection for the Venetian trade routes. At the same time, these fortresses were also important strategic objects in the event of new hostilities with the Turks. But on December 6, 1691, the fortress was still captured by the Turks thanks to the Venetian commander, who received a huge amount of money for his betrayal.
In 1825, the Cretans disguised as Turks captured the fortress, which became their strategic base. Although the Turks were never able to recapture the fort, they successfully suppressed the uprising in western Crete, and the rebels on Gramvousa were under siege. In order to survive on the island, they were forced to resort to pirate activities. During this period, a school and a church were built here. In 1828, the fortress came under the control of the Greek government, and the pirate ships were destroyed. But at the end of 1830, in accordance with international agreements, Crete and the adjacent islands returned under the control of the Turkish sultan.
Between the island and the coast of Crete is the picturesque Balos lagoon, where the waters of three seas meet - the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan. The purest water plays in the sun with many different colors, and the color of the sand varies from white to a pleasant pink hue. Today the Gramvousa Islands and the lagoon are very popular and are visited by a large number of tourists.
