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Greek Islands
> Saronic
Gulf
>
Spetses
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Spetses
island in Greece
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Spetses related
sites
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The island of Spetses is a beautiful island offering
tranquillity and a cosmopolitan life, wonderful beaches and
picturesque small bays, various interesting historical and
archaeological sites to visit, many hotels and rooms for
rent and all the accommodation needed to enjoy holidays in
Spetses.
In the island of Spetses though unlike noble Hydra, there is
one local bus that serves the main beaches and villages and
allows transportation by motorcycles. The island of Spetses
was one of the first island to attract tourism. Pine covered
Spetses is part of the Argo-Saronic islands (with Hydra,
Aegina and Poros) and lays at the entrance of the Argolic
Gulf, being the southernmost island of the group.
Like Hydra, Spetses played an important role during the
Greek Revolution of 1821, and is the birthplace of the
famous feminine hero Bouboulina. The island is very
easy to reach for many routes are leading to Spetses: by
ferry or hydrofoil from the harbour of Piraeus or from the
Peloponnese coast.
Spetses has the same policy with cars as Hydra: they are not
permitted on the island and transportation is, like in
Hydra, effectuated by horse-drawn carriage, donkey or
taxi-boat. |
refreshing the page will bring up more
Spetses Island related sites
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Spetses's history |
Spetses, at the entrance
to the Bay of Argos, was first settled in the Early Helladic era (2500 -
2000 B.C.), as certified by the remains of walls, statuettes and clay
vessels found at Agia Marina.
Spetses was inhabited from Prehistoric times. Due to the fact that it is a
small island, there were no important events in its history. The island
was under the domination of Rome and later under that of the Byzantine
Empire. Due to its position, it also was target of pirate raids. It took
part, with Hydra, in the War of Independence against the Turks in 1821.
The wealthiest captains of the island, amongst them a woman, Laskarina
Bouboulina, provided significant assistance by placing their ships at the
disposal of the war effort.
On
the western side of the island, near the beach of Agii Anargiri, there is
the cave of Bekiri, which has great historical interest since many
revolutionaries found refuge there during the War of Independence in 1821.
The most Important Festival of religious and historical meaning is "Armata".
Early in September with weekly events leading to their peak on the 8th,
the locals together with the guests celebrate the anniversary of the Great
Spetses naval battle, one of the most significant fights of the 1821
revolution, which took place on the 8th of September 1822, where the enemy
fleet was defeated to retreat after losing their flag ship. Every year
thousands of visitors on the above date re-live that courageous victory
with a spectacular dramatization.
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Spetses island today |
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Spetses Island is the last of the Saronic Gulf islands, 53 nautical miles from Piraeus,
with a great history and the privilege of National recognition for its
vital role during the Greek revolution against the Ottoman Empire.
There
are a lot of remarkable historic sites which are maintained with love and
care. The Museum of Spetses situated at the mansion of Hatziyiannis Mexis
(one of the wealthiest leading activist of that era), the main mansion of
Laskarina Bouboulina which now is a private museum, and the historical
monastery of St. Nicolas.
Traditional
sites missing from other parts of Greece, decorate the village of Spetses.
The famous ship yards with their wooden keels, the mansions of the great
captains and admirals from the last century with their own characteristic
architecture, the churches in the neighborhoods, built after the
Byzantine Empire, the horse and the buggies.
It
is easy to visit the island all around. On the south there are beautiful
beaches like Agios Mamas, Agios Nikolaos, Agia Marina, but on the north
you can also swim at Kounoupitsa, Ligoneri, Vrellou and Agia Paraskevi.
Island's
specialty is the "Fish a la Spetsiota" cooked in the oven with
a lot of tomato, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
After
stepping out onto the bustling harbour, you will find yourself in a sea
port of great beauty, immaculately restored and spotlessly clean. The
quayside is lined with excellent taverns, bars and cafes and the place
has a generally cosmopolitan air. Take time to relax here and watch island
life go by whilst enjoying a drink or a meal.
Today,
it stands out for the distinctive architecture of its stately mansions and
coves, some sandy, some rocky, many still rimmed with pines. Cars
are infrequent on the island. Most of the inhabitants prefer to get around
on bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, which lend a special charm to the
place. |
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Spetses hotels
Visit this page to find more about
Spetses
hotels
or, if you like me to assist you with
your choice, please
send me an e-mail with your questions and enquiries. I will be glad to reply and
assist you, wherever I possibly can. |
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