 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2009) |
| Spetses Σπέτσες |
|
|---|---|
 Spetses by night |
|
| Geography | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: | 37°15′N 23°8′E / 37.25°N 23.133°E |
| Island Chain: | Saronic |
| Area: | 27.121 km² (10 sq.mi.) |
| Highest Mountain: | Profites Elias (248 m (814 ft)) |
| Government | |
 Greece |
|
| Periphery: | Attica |
| Prefecture: | Piraeus |
| Capital: | Spetses (town) |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 3,916 (as of 2001) |
| Density: | 144 /km² (374 /sq.mi.) |
| Postal Code: | 180 50 |
| Area Code: | 22980 |
| License Code: | Z |
| Website | |
| www.spetses.gr | |
Spetses (Modern Greek: Σπέτσες, Ancient/Katharevousa: Σπέτσαι, Spetsai) is an island of Greece, sometimes included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolidocorinthia, which is now split into Argolis and Corinthia. In ancient times, it was known as Pityoussa, and later as Petses. The town of Spetses (pop. 3,846 in 2001) is the only large settlement on the island, and was one of only two provinces in Greece with fewer than five settlements and two municipalities. The island is presently an independent municipality (pop. 3,916), with no local boundaries within the municipality. The other settlements on the island are Moní Agíon Pánton (pop. 32), Ligonéri (16), Ágioi Anárgyroi (11), Kouzoúnos (3). Also part of the Municipality of Spetses are the islands of Spetsopoula (pop. 11) and Velopoula (uninhabited).
Ferries and high-speed hydrofoils arrive regularly from Piraeus and Tyros and Leonidio and Nafplion on the Peloponnese. The use of motor vehicles is severely restricted on the island, so the public transportation system is generally provided by horse & carriage and water taxis. Some conventional taxis and buses are in operation, but they require a special license. The inhabited area is so compact that most people use scooters, bicycles or walk throughout the island. The port is also known as Dapia. Trails encircle the island and total about 25 to 30 km; famous beaches include Agios Mamas, in the centre of town, Agioi Anargiroi and Agia Paraskevi at the back of the island, Zogeria and two beaches close to the town, College beach and Agia Marina, both offering watersports.
Contents |
History
Archaeological findings in Spetses date back to 2000 BC. However, Pityoussa in antiquity was an island of no importance.
From 1821 to 1832, the island played an important role in the Greek War of Independence in fighting against the Turks, and was the home of celebrated war heroine Bouboulina. The modern Hydra class frigate F 453 Spetsai , the World War 2 era destroyer Greek destroyer Spetsai (D 98) and the historic Greek battleship Spetsai have been named after this island.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the island attracted a number wealthy Greek vacationers from Athens and elsewhere, owning villas or living on large yachts in the port. Some had children who became students of the Anargirios School. Although some hotels were present, tourists often stayed in purpose-built holiday homes. From the 1980s, these were often supplanted by north European tourists, especially from Britain, who were attracted by the low cost of a holiday.
In wider culture
Spetses was the basis for the island Phraxos in John Fowles 1965 major novel The Magus. Many locations, including the fictional Lord Byron School (actually the private Anargyrios & Korgialenios School of Spetses www.akss.net) and the Villa Bourani (located on the south side of the island above a popular public beach).
Both School and Villa still exist, although the house is under private ownership.
Historical population
| Year | Population | Change | Municipal/Island population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 3,729 | - | - | - |
| 1991 | 3,509 | -220/-5.90% | 3,603 | 132.8/km² |
| 2001 | 3,846 | +337/+9.60% | 3,916 | 144.4/km² |
Photos
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
See also
- Communities of Attica, including Spetses
- Fishtales - The island appears in the children's film.
- Free-diving - World record free-diving attempts frequently take place around the island.
References
External links
- Official website (English) (Greek)
- Mapquest - Spetses
|
|||||
|
||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
