Church of Agios Spyridon

Agios Spyridon is one of Nafplio’s most historically charged churches, remembered above all as the site where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of modern Greece, was assassinated in 1831. A small marble plaque marks the exact spot outside the entrance, making the church a quiet but powerful memorial to a turning point in Greek history. Built in the early 18th century during the Venetian period, the church has a simple exterior but a richly atmospheric interior. Its stone walls and barrel‑vaulted ceiling create a warm, intimate space typical of late Venetian ecclesiastical architecture. Inside, visitors can admire the wooden iconostasis with its finely carved details and icons dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The church also preserves older liturgical objects, including silver processional crosses and embroidered vestments that reflect Nafplio’s role as a cultural centre. One of the most interesting features is the blend of architectural influences: Venetian arches, Ottoman‑era repairs, and Orthodox decorative traditions coexist in a single compact space. The interior lighting—soft, filtered through small windows—adds to the contemplative atmosphere.