On Saturday, September 9th 2023 in Spetses island, this year's popular Festive Events will summit again, combining the celebration of the Virgin Mary of Armata and the anniversary of the Naval Battle of Spetses on September 8th 1822, with admiral Laskarina Bouboulina and the Spetsians against the Turkish Armada.
The representation of the naval battle of Spetses and the burning of the Turkish flagship, with traditional dances and fireworks is a unique spectacle!
In the 1821 Revolution for Independence, the Naval fleet of Spetses, led by the national Greek heroine Laskarina Bouboulina, defeated the Turkish fleet in a decisive naval battle (in Sept. 8th 1822). The Spetsiots dedicated their victory to the Virgin Mary (Panagia) by building the chapel of "Panagia Armata" because, according to tradition, She helped the Greeks defeat the Turkish fleet. To commemorate the occasion, a festival and re-enactment of the battle takes place annually, called "Armata".
Crowds of visitors, Greek and foreign, come to Spetses island every September to attend the glorious "Armata" celebrations, that last one week and are held in memory of the Naval Battle of Spetses. The celebrations program includes painting exhibitions, music and dancing events (concerts, choruses, groups of folk dancers and musicians, etc.), theatrical performances, cannons firing, etc.
On the second Saturday of September, the representation of the historic naval battle takes place, with the firing-up of the effigy of the Turkish flagship, while simultaneously the historical events are narrated and the show ends with an impressive display of fireworks and firecrackers.
To visit the island and participate in the representation of the naval battle, there is a special Cruise from Tolo to Spetses!
Embarkation
The ship sails from the port of Tolo
Embarkation time
17:30
Cruise's Program
Embarkation from the Port of Tolo at 17:30.
Arrival at Spetses island at 19:00 - disembarkation of visitors
Free time on the island until 23:30 - 23:40.
Boarding immediately after the closing of events!
Return - End of cruise
1:00 - 1:30
Date of Cruise
Saturday, September 9th 2023
Tickets - prices
Adults 30€ / person
Children 5-12 y.o.15€ (half price)
Information - Reservations
Online after selecting the date (September 9th) Here.
Τ. +30 27520 22100, (9:00 - 17:00)
E. travel@discovernafplio.gr
Did you know that?
In September 2022 (after a 3-year pause of the celebrations due to the pandemic) it was 200 years exactly since that unexpected Greek victory, which protected the siege of Nafplion and led to its liberation from the rebelled Greeks.
The celebrations are attended by a large number of inhabitants of Spetses and a multitude of officials, representatives of the state, of the church, the authorities, intellectuals and artists, who honor Spetses with their presence. The Hellenic Navy honors the historic naval battle with the presence of a war ship and troops.
