Spetses
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Spetses
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The island of Spetses (Σπέτσες) is within a day's sail from Athens. It is small but very beautiful. Its ancient name was Pityousa (Πιτυούσα) or Pityonesos from Pitys (Πίτυς - pine tree). This name is very apt for this pine-tree covered island. At Ayia Marina, not too far from the town on the SE side of the island, artifacts have been found dated from 2500 BC. In 1220 AD the island was conquered by the Venetians who are reputed to have named it Spezie - Spice. Its present name is a corrupted version of this Venetian name. The Venetians were replaced by the Ottomans in 1460. In the early 18th century many Albanian Christians moved into the island. By this time the island had developed as a major ship-building center and the owner of a sizable shipping fleet. When the Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans broke out in 1821, Spetses was the first island to declare for the revolution. It played, a major role in this war with many distinguished captain/ship-owners. The most famous of these is Laskarina Bouboulina who commanded her own ship the Agamemnon and later became an admiral and was responsible for several Greek naval victories. She was also the mother of six children.
Today Spetses is a very popular island with the well to do from Athens. During the weekends the Old Harbor is completely crowded with large motor cruisers. Many of the old ship-owners' mansions have been renovated by their Athenian owners. The mansion of Hadziyiannis Mexis has been converted to a museum. It houses among other exhibits Bouboulina's guns and her "Freedom or Death" flag.
Charts
BA 1031 Yerakas to Kea
Imray-Tetra G14 Saronic and Argolic Gulfs
NIMA 54340 Nisos Spetsai - N. Vorioi Sp.
Greek 4145 Poros mechri Monemvasis
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF Channels 27 & 28
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External Links
- Spetses (Wikipedia)
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