Spetses island
The historic island of
Spetses is located near the Argolic peninsula, at
the right of the entrance to the Argolic Gulf, in a
distance of 1.5 miles of the Ermionida and 50 miles from
Piraeus. Spetses are made up from three more islands:
Spetsopoula, Agios Ioannis and mikro Bourmpoulo.
Spetses island has an oval shape, with a coastline of 11
miles, 22.5 sq.km. area. with a maximum length of 4
miles and a maximum width of 2.5 miles. Spetse is
crossed by small mountains with highest peak the
Prophet Elias (291 meters). The capes of the island is:
Sourmpoyti , Kavos - Fanari , Mafrokavos , Zastano
and Bourmpoythi
The territory of Spetses is mainly pine, while much
is Agricultural. Main products are olives, oil, cereals,
grapes, almonds, figs and some livestock products. The
climate is cool and healthy and offered a place
for holidays. The inhabitants are engaged mainly in
shipping and fisheries.
Capital of Spetses is the homonymous city of the
island with the smaller vilages of Agia Paraskevi, Agioi
Anargyroi, , Adosidon, Vrelon, Elonas, Zogeria, Ligoneri,
Parapola, and the island Spetsopoula
In antiquity Spetses was called "Pityonisos" and "Pityousa".
The current name derives from sailors during the Middle
Ages Genoese and Venetians. The Franks called Spetses as
Izola di Spesia .
During the Venetian rule Spetses was occupied by the
Venetians (1220-1460) and after by the Turks. In 17
century the population was mainly from Laconia, Kynouria,
Argolida and Ermionida. The original medieval settlement
was northwest of the city, current position "Kastelli"
where there was a citadel on the hill (current position
the church of St Basil).
The inhabitants of Spetses took part in the
Russian-Turkish war (1770) and have suffered great
destruction by the Turks. After that the people of
Spetses built the city today on the shore
Because Spetses is only two miles away from the
Pelopenese and, specifically the Costa of Hermione,
there are alternative routes to arrive to Spetses. One
is by sea from Piraeus or, alternatively, you can travel
by car or bus from Hermione in the Pelopenese.
This latter route gives you the opportunity to visit the
ancient city and theatre of Epidaurus, where every
summer, ancient dramas and comedies are performed during
the Athens Festival. From this route you can also take
in the ancient city of King Agamemnon, Mykenea and the
ancient city of Tyrins.
Like Hydra, private cars are not permitted on Spetses so
travel is by horse drawn carriages or the local bus.
Alternatively, you can take a tour around the island's
coastline in one the caquies or high-speed taxi boats,On
Spetses the visitor will find accommodation at Hotels
and apartments.
On Spetses you can have both tranquillity and the lively
bustle of cosmopolitan life. It has a lot of natural
beauty found all over the island, in picturesque small
bays and, in the main town itself, with its museum and
mansions of great historical figures.
Worth mentioning is that, very near to Spetses, is the
island of Spetsopoula, the private island of the Greek
tycoon and long-time rival of the late Onassis, Niarchos.
There are daily ferries and hydrofoils that conect
spetses with the other islands of the Saronic gulf like
Hydra,
Poros and
Aegina departing from Piraeus.
Useful telephone numbers:
City Hall 22982 72225
Port Police 22982 72245
Tourist Police 22982 73744
Health Centre 22982 72472
Horse-drawn carriage hire 22982 73170/1.
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