If you want a good read this summer, I recommend The Island by Victoria Hislop.
You don't have to actually visit the island of Spinalonga, just a stones throw from the island of Crete cos I've taken some photos for you.
From 1903 up until 1957, the Cretan Government established a leper colony on Spinalonga. There was no known cure and since the sufferers had nothing more to lose (no bad taste jokes please) some became guinea pigs and tried out various injections, administered by doctors and ultimately a cure was found.
In the meantime, the people of Spinalonga lived as good a life as was possible. The mosque was converted into a hospital and the old buildings constructed between 1881 and 1930 offered homes for the sick. The colony grew crops, had markets, schools and all cared for each other.
Plaka was the nearest village on the mainland and so close...
Spinalonga from the mainland.
On a happier note, if you have to suffer some horrible illness, I can't think of a more spectacular place to be.
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