The Armata of Spetses

The Armata of Spetses is an annual commemoration of the naval battle of 8 September 1822, in which the fleets of Spetses turned an Ottoman fleet during the Greek War of Independence. It is organised by the Municipality of Spetses and held each year at the Old Harbour of the island. The 2025 edition ran from 27 August to 14 September.

The programme over the fortnight included concerts, theatre, exhibitions and traditional dance. The opening evening brought the Contemporary Music Workshop of the State Orchestra of Athens to the AKSS Theatre and a children’s opera to the Bouboulina Museum, the house of Laskarina Bouboulina, the shipowner and figure of the War of Independence whose descendants still live on the island.

The commemoration culminates in the reenactment of the naval battle, staged in 2025 on the second Saturday of September. The reenactment is narrated live in Greek and English and concludes with the burning of a model Ottoman flagship, built each year for the purpose, and a fireworks display over the water.