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Spetses abounds with places that bear the marks of a significant historic and cultural identity. The ideal starting point for touring the island is the harbour of Dapia with its famous square. The imposing statue of Laskarina Bouboulina, work of the sculptor Natalia Mela, dominates the centre of the Poseidonion square. Kagelaria that stands right on the edge of the Dapia port has a great history. Before 1770 it was used as a meeting point for the lords of the island. Later on it housed the Town Hall; today the first floor is used for the needs of the Town Hall, while the ground floor houses various services of the municipality. A walk in the alleys will give you the chance to view the magnificent mansions with their distinctive architectural elements.
An excellent sight is the home of the island's great benefactor Sotirios Anargyros, an 18th-century neo-classical mansion, with two Egyptian sphinxes dominating the right and left sides of the entrance. In the past it has housed the Town Hall, the French baron family of Rotschild, as well as several cultural events.
Next to the mansion you will see Pefkakia square, with the small park and the mansion-museum of Laskarina Bouboulina. Special mention should be made of the magnificent wooden-carved ceiling dominating the main hall. In front of the museum, in the courtyard, you will find history books, videotapes and various souvenirs.
In the interior of the town, Dapia square borders the historic hotel "Poseidonion". This hotel was constructed at the outset of the 20th century by Sotirios Anargyros and has hosted several famous politicians, businessmen and artists. With its fine architecture and marvellous interior decoration, Poseidonion is still a pole of attraction and earns our admiration.
Nearby stands a well-preserved traditional building, the Town Hall, in front of which extends a beautiful garden with remarkable pebble mosaics. This road leads to the area of Kounoupitsa and Sourbouti; close by you will see the famous building of Anargyreios - Korgialenios School, which houses a valuable historic archive. Many famous scientists, politicians and artists studied at this school that has operated for more than half a century. Today, this wonderful building is brought back to life as it houses the Centre of Environmental Studies and is also going to house a technical school.
The glorious history of Spetses is housed in the mansion of Hatziyannis Mexis, the island's first governor. This imposing building with its high-ceilinged rooms houses the Spetses Museum, which contains exhibits that cover four millennia of cultural history. The exhibits include pottery from the Early Helladic period, tombstones and sculptures from the Roman period, 18th-century eastern and western style ceramics brought to the island by Spetsiot travellers, a collection of post-Byzantine and Russian icons, important relics from the 1821 War of Independence like the flag of the Revolution, the bones of Bouboulina, weapons and as well as portraits of Spetsiot fighters.
Relics from the War of Independence are also kept in Botasis mansion. The Kapodistrian Cultural Club houses a remarkable library.
Of particular interest is the cathedral of Aghios Nikolaos, a cruciform church built in the post-Byzantine style. According to the legend, the body of Paul Marie Bonaparte - brother of Napoleon - was kept here in a barrel of rum for three years. The historic church still embellishes the town with its elaborate imposing bell-tower where the flag of the Revolution was raised, and its wonderful courtyard where stands the monument erected to fighters killed in the war, a work of the sculptor Byron Kesses. This area is renowned for its impressive mansions, some of them built in the 18th century, which are a sample of the cultural and economic development of the island at that time.
The monastery of Aghioi Pandes enjoys splendid views. Here the services celebrated during the Holy Week are very interesting and create an atmosphere of devoutness. The church of Aghia Triada built in 1973 dominates the town. Another important church is the historic Panagia Armata. The church was built to honour the victory of the people of Spetses, Hydra and Psara against the Ottoman Turks. Inside the church you can admire a beautiful painting by I. Koutsis (1887) representing the historic sea battle.
Another place worth a visit is the island's Lighthouse. It has its own important history, as together with the lighthouse of Kea these were the first lighthouses of the Greek Lighthouses Network that was established in 1837. The stone lighthouse that started to operate in 1885 dominates the old harbour of Spetses.
From the beach of Aghioi Anargyroi if you walk along the wonderful path fringed by pine-trees and thymes you will find the secret entrance of the Cave of Bekiris. The interior of the cave will leave you speechless. After a short while you will be able to see the small beach, and the reflections of the light coming in from the cave's sea entrance that paint the water with green shades. Right at the centre of the beach, the stalactites create a cavity that collects drops of fresh water. If you are in love, you should drink the "water of love" and your love will last forever. If not, the spring's water will make you fall in love with Spetses forever.
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