the lighthouse

This sea-shore promenade toward the northeast end of the town features many beautiful points. Starting from Dapia (which means fortified point) with its canons and its high wall, we reach first the popular beach of Agios Mamas, which is also the point of departure of the buses going to different parts of the island. It is also a meeting point with its cafés and food places, depending on the time of the day. Right after, on the way to the Church of Agios Nikolaos, we reach the beach of Agios Nikolaos, passing by the beautiful mansions, some of which built in the 18th century, attesting of the cultural and economic flourishing period the island was enjoying back then. Renowned artists and craftsmen work at the maintenance of these and other traditional mansions. A beautiful pebbled court and the monument to the memory of the Revolution Heroes- made by sculptor B.Kesses – open the way to the cathedral of Agios Nikolaos. It is one of the oldest churches of Spetses, with its cross-shape post-Byzantine architecture and its splendid bell tower, on top of which the Flag of the Revolution was hoisted in 1821. Close to the cathedral, is standing the old primary school which is now the cultural center of Kapodistriaki. It was completely renovated and today it shelters the Historical Archives, a large auditorium and an exhibition gallery where old pictures from the archives of Spetses may be seen (donation by Stephanos A. Alexandrides). Following our promenade, we pass the traditional shipyards which are still in use, transmitting the art of  wooden shipbuilding from generation to generation. We also can see beautiful houses and buildings – old and new- which keep the traditional architecture of the island, harmoniously blending contemporary housing concept with the island’s surroundings. “Baltiza” is also the mooring of most private and commercial boats upon their arrival at Spetses, and one of the most famous nightlife spot of the island. At the end of our promenade, we reach the “Fanari”, one of the oldest traditional lighthouses still operating in Greece. There, you will discover the little church of “Panagia Armata”, built in honor of the Virgin who helped the Spetsiots during the naval battle with the Turkish fleet on the 8th of September 1821. Inside the church, we can admire the painting by I. Koutsis, (1887) which represents the naval battle in the strait of Spetses.  Close to the church, two tombstones commemorate the memory of Admiral I.G. Koutsi and historian Anargyros Ch. Anargyrou. Further down, we cross the garden of the canon arsenal – place of historical memory and leisure - where stands the old arsenal of Chatzigiannis Mexis. The whole promenade is decorated with bronze sculptures, also a work by artist Natalia Mela. At the edge of the lighthouse, in front of the remains of the old one, the statue of Kosma Barbatsis, heroic fire shooter, stands proudly, also a work by N. Mela.