Spetses

Infobox Greek Isles
name = Spetses
native_name = Σπέτσες
skyline =
sky_caption =


coordinates = coord|37|15|N|23|8|E
chain = Saronic
isles =
area = 27.121
highest_mount = Profites Elias
elevation = 248
periph = Attica
prefect = Piraeus
capital = Spetses (town)
population = 3916
pop_as_of = 2001
postal = 180 50
telephone = 22980
license = Z
website = [http://www.spetses.gr 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 that 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 the two only provinces in Greece that has 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. 8) and Velopoula (uninhabited).

Ferries and high-speed hydrofoils arrive regularly from Piraeus and Plaka near 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 everywhere. The port is also known as Dapia. Trails encircle the island and totals about 25 to 30 km. Famous beaches include Agios Mamas, in the centre of town, Agioi Anargiroi and Agia Paraskevi around the back of the island, Zogeria and two beaches close to the town, College beach and Agia Marina, both offering watersports.

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" and the historic Greek battleship "Spetsai" have been named after this island.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the island attracted many wealthy Greek vacationers from Athens etc., who owned villas or lived on large yachts in the port. Some had boys who were students of the Anargirios School. Although there were some hotels, many tourists stayed in purpose-built holiday homes, mostly controlled by an entrepreneur called "Takis". 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 Pop 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 [http://www.akss.net www.akss.net] ) and the Villa Bourani (located on the south side of the island above a popular public beach), actually existed at the time. The school specialized in educating elite Greek boys.

Historical population

Photos

ee also

*Communities of Attica, including Spetses
*"Fishtales" - The island appears in the upcoming children's film.
*Free-diving - World record free-diving attempts frequently take place around the island.

References

External links

* [http://www.spetses.gr Official website] en el icon
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Spetses&country=GR Mapquest - Spetses]