Church of Agios Spyridon
Church of Agios Spyridon features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Nafplio. Give it roughly ~20 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Nafplio Nafplio guide
About Church of Agios Spyridon
A modest domed Orthodox church of 1702, best known as the doorway where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first head of state of independent Greece, was assassinated in 1831.
The Church of Agios Spyridon is a small domed Greek Orthodox church in the old town of Nafplio, built in 1702 during the second Venetian occupation and funded by the town's Orthodox community, as recorded on its founding inscription. A bell tower was added in 1853 and the dome was painted in 1902.
The church is chiefly remembered for a grave event. On 27 September 1831 (Old Style), 9 October in the Gregorian calendar, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of independent Greece, was assassinated at its entrance as he arrived for the Sunday liturgy. The assassins were Konstantinos Mavromichalis, brother of Petrobey Mavromichalis, and Georgios Mavromichalis, Petrobey's son, acting in revenge for Petrobey's imprisonment. A bullet mark from the attack survives in the wall beside the door. In the aftermath Konstantinos was shot dead near the scene, while Georgios later surrendered and was executed.
Did you know? The founding inscription dates the church to 1702, when it was built by Nafplio's Orthodox community under Venetian rule. A bell tower was added in 1853 and the dome painted in 1902.
How long is a visit to Church of Agios Spyridon?
Set aside roughly ~20 min for Church of Agios Spyridon. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Church of Agios Spyridon worth your time?
Church of Agios Spyridon is among the 15 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Nafplio, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Nafplio
Day 1 of the Nafplio in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Church of Agios Spyridon
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