For more photos
please visit
Spetses's
Photo Galerry
|
. |
SOME
WORDS: Spetses is
the farthest of the Saronic islands from Athens
but nearest from Tolo. It's greener, better
watered, more relaxed, and less expensive than
Hydra, and though its architecture is less
impressive it's nevertheless distinctive. It has
become popular, especially the British, in
response to description of island in John Fowles's
masterful "The Magus". The oval island
has the best beaches in the Saronic Gulf, and is
not difficult to escape the crowds and noise into
the back streets or pine forest of the interior.
WHAT TO
SEE & DO:
The
square where the ferries and hydrofoils arrive,
the Dapia is more or less the hearth of the town.
It once was the center of the island's defense,
but now it's the center of it's society. The
black-
and-white
pebble mosaic distinctive of the island and
similar to those found on Rhodes. Around the
esplanade to the right you'll find one of the
island's more important landmarks, the grand old Hotel
Possidonion, built in 1911 by
Sotiris Anaryiro, and in front of it the statue
of Bouboulina, the island's heroine.
The
Laskarina Bouboulina
House is situated in
Pefkakia, just off the port, and you can see her
bones, along with other artifacts,
archaeological relics, and more folk objects at
the Mexis Museum, beyond the
post-office.
A
little west from town, you'll find Anaryiros
College, where John Fowles as
one of its teachers, hosts the Anaryiria
Festival of art exibition,
lectures and theatrical performances. East of the
Dapia you'll find the Old
Harbour and the Cathedral
of Agios Nikolaos - the oldest church
in town. Other interese places are Baltiza -
where boatyards continue to make caiques and the
tip of the peninsula is the Faros (Lighthouse).
Pitoresque
the enticing little island Spetsapoula, once yhe
private domain, and Agii
Anaryiri on the south side of
the island opposite Spetses town has the best
sandy beach anywhere in the Saronic Gulf.
GETTING
THERE:
98km from Piraeus
Area: 22 sq km;
Population 4.000
By Boat
Several ferries and
excursion boats make the five-hour voyage between
Piraeus and Spetses. There is several daily
Flying Dolphin -make one hour and half- between
Zea Marina and Spetses. Tolo - Hydra three day on
the week with Mantalena Cruises.
|
here!
