History of Spetses

The island has a rich history, intrinsically linked with the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans. 

In the 18th century, Spetses enjoyed great naval and commercial development leading to economic prosperity, seen today in the island’s unique architecture and prestigious mansions, ‘archondika’. The significant fleet of the island contributed to its being the first island to rebel against the Ottomans in 1821. The famous battle of Spetses in 1822, still celebrated today, resulted in the frustration of the Ottoman commanders’ plan to attack Nafplion, then the principal administrative centre in Greece,  making this one of the most significant battles of the Greek War of Independence. An important Spetsiot personality was Bouboulina, considered the first woman to attain the rank of Admiral and probably one of the most significant naval commanders of the War. There is an interesting museum on the island dedicated to her and her family’s history and her statue, sculpted in bronze by sculptor Natalia Mela, stands proud in the middle of the seaside square in Spetses’ main town called Dapia.

Another important personality was Sotirios Anargyros, a successful Spetsiot merchant who became very prosperous through trading internationally and returned to the island in the early 20th century to become its most important benefactor. He financed influential projects such as the road that circumnavigates the island, the island’s first reservoir and the reforestation after it was depleted by boat building and fuel. 

As well as building ‘Neith’, his impressive neoclassical mansion in the centre of Dapia, he built and the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School of Spetses.  This school operated for over 40 years as a boys’ boarding school based on the British model. John Fowles, author of The Magus, was a young professor at the School and set his famous novel on the island. Today the School is a cultural centre offering a variety of courses, classical music master classes and concerts. In the grounds, up an atmospheric winding hill, is the School’s charming amphitheatre, where theatrical and musical performances take place in the summer months.

Anargyros also developed the beautiful and imposing Poseidonion Grand Hotel, opened in 1914. It is another example of neoclassical architecture and is inspired by the The Negresco Hotel in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes. From the veranda, full of old-world charm, there is a wonderful view of the sea and the lively local life in the large elegant square below.