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 were 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 ambience 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 coffees hops, 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 Aghios 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 PanAghia 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 Poseidonion 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. (tel. (02980) 72.994). 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 reenactment of the naval battle of
the Armada, which sets off from the chapel of the PanAghia 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
Spetsopoula.
Spetses is an ideal base for making excursions to Kosta, Porto
Cheli, Kranidi, Nafplion and the archaeological sites of the Argolid
opposite. In the summer there are theatrical perfomances in the
ancient theatre of Epidaurus.
There
are fuel and water supply facilities for private vessels in the
harbour of Spetses.
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