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Spetses
Spetses.
(Area 22 km2 , length of coastline 25 km).
Situated at the entrance to the Argolic Gulf, opposite Kosta,
Hermionida, from which it is separated by a narrow channel 1.3
nautical miles wide, Spetses is the southern most island of the
group. It has been inhabited since the Early Bronze Age (2500-2000 BC),
as attested by the remnants of defensive walls, figurines and
clay vessels found at Aghia Marina. During the Ottoman period
the Spetsiotes built up an important fleet and ware protagonists
with their neighbours in Hydra in the Greek War of Independence.
The attractive town of Spetses is one of the most elegant and
dignified island capitals. It has an ambiance of the 'good old
days', which is created by the Neoclassical houses and is enhanced
by the absence of motor vehicles and the circulation of horse-drawn
carriages. The heart of the small town is the historical Dapia
Square with the cannon, emplacement that brings to mind the struggles
against the Ottoman Turks. Here, around the picturesque harbour,
are the old coffee shops, many restaurants, patisseries, shops
etc.
To the left of Dapia, in the direction of the old harbour, are
numerous Neoclassical houses and the metropolis (Greek Orthodox
cathedral) of Hagios Nikolaos. Standing in a lovely setting,
the church was once the katholikon of a monastery. There are
quaint shipyards beside the old harbour and beyond these is the
chapel of the Panagia tis Armatas. Built on a densely wooded
hill with a wonderful view over the whole town, it commemorates
the Spetsiotes' victory in September 1822. A short distance away
is the lighthouse. To the right of Dapia Square is the imposing
building of the old Poseidon ion Hotel and a monument dedicated
to Bouboulina, the most important woman protagonist in the Struggle
of 1821. Further on, in the area of Kounoupitsa, are the impressive
premises of the Anargyrion-Koryalenion School, founded in 1927.
Mansions worth visiting in the town are those of Bouboulina,
Botasis and Chatziyannis Mexis. The last now houses a museum
of memorabilia of the 1821 War of Independence, archival and
folklore material, paintings etc. At the highest point in the
town is the Holy Trinity church, built in 1793. On the west coast,
near Aghioi Anargyroi, is the Bekiris cave in which the 1821
freedom fighters sought refuge. All the island's beaches" can
be reached by bus or caique: Aghioi Anargyroi, Aghia Paraskevi,
Zogeria, Vrellas, Aghia Marina, Xylokeriza. Spetses has an excellent
tourist infrastructure and there are plenty of hotels, pensions,
entertainment centres, restaurants etc. There are ample opportunities
for sea sports and many night spots. The annual festival, the
'Anargyria', is held in August. In mid-September there is a re-enactment
of the naval battle of the Armada, which sets off from the chapel
of the Panagia tis Armatas, near the lighthouse of the old harbour.
The events include athletics contests and folk dancing. To the
SE of Spetses lies the privately-owned, verdant islet of Spetsopouia.
Spetses is an ideal base for making excursions to Kosta, Porto
Cheli, Kranidi, Nauplion and the archaeological sites of the
Argolid opposite. In the summer there are theatrical performances
in the ancient theatre of Epidayros. There are fuel and water
supply facilities for private vessels in the harbour of Spetses.
How to get there: By bus or car: Via Kranidi and Kosta.
A frequent service by small ferryboat or sea taxis from Kosta to Spetses, distance
1.3 nautical miles. By ferryboat: From Piraeus, frequent services in the summer
less frequent in the winter. Distance 53 nautical miles.
By hydrofoil: From Piraeus, frequent service in the summer and less frequent
in the winter. Information at the ticket agencies. Spetses is connected by ferryboat
and hydrofoil with the other islands of the Saronic gulf, harbours in the Peloponnese
and the island of Kythera. Some ofthe services are seasonal.
Photo's: Greek
National Tourism Organisation
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