The representation of the Naval Battle of Spetses (“Armata”) which took place in September of 1822 is the most known of all the traditional customs of the island and gathers tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The inhabitants of the island attributed their victory over the numerous and better armed Turks to the succour of BVM and this is how they also called the small church in the Old Port, i.e. “BVM of Armata” celebrated on September 8 (the Nativity of BVM).
The representation of this historic event is a cultural and religious feast with the participation of hundreds of locals. Celebrations are typically carried out in early September and last for one week, culminating in the representation of the burning of a simulacrum of the Turkish flagship with simultaneous narration of the historic events of that night of September 8, 1822, in a rainbow of fireworks. The Armata event is dedicated to the grand victory of the Greeks with the aid of BVM against the Turks on the waters of Spetses: one of the most significant moments of the Struggle of 1821.
[ From the site of the Municipality of Spetses ]
