Church of Saint Spyridon: Nafplio's Historic Bullet Mark
A Historic Basilica in Nafplio's Old Town
Situated along the narrow, stone-paved lanes off Kapodistriou Street, the Church of Saint Spyridon represents a critical chapter in Nafplion’s brief tenure as the First Capital of modern Greece. Built in 1702 during the Second Venetian rule, the church was funded by the Nafplian Brotherhood of Orthodox Greeks. It features a single-nave domed basilica design, with a freestanding bell tower that was later added in 1853. Today, it remains an active Greek Orthodox house of worship, holding Sunday liturgies and celebrating the feast day of Saint Spyridon on December 12.
The Assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias
The church is most famous as the site of a turning point in Greek history. On the morning of October 9, 1831, Count Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of the newly liberated Greek State, arrived at the church to attend Sunday liturgy. He frequented this specific house of worship because Saint Spyridon is the patron saint of his native island, Corfu.
At the doorway, he was ambushed by Konstantinos and Georgios Mavromichalis, members of a powerful Maniot clan. Konstantinos shot the governor while Georgios stabbed him. The assassination threw the fledgling state into turmoil, ultimately prompting the Great Powers to establish a monarchy and install King Otto of Bavaria in 1832.
The Preserved Bullet Mark
During the attack on Kapodistrias, a stray bullet struck the weathered stone masonry just outside the church entrance. Today, the chipped stone impact point remains preserved behind a small glass-and-brass frame mounted to the right of the main doorway. An informational plaque accompanies the encased bullet mark, marking the exact spot of the historical rupture. Inside the church, a historical painting portraying the assassination is displayed for visitors.
Architecture and Interior Details
The dim, solemn interior of Saint Spyridon holds several unique historical and architectural details. Directly opposite the doorway, a colorful Byzantine-style fresco depicts the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The floor is decorated with an unusual inlaid six-pointed star, or hexagram. While Kapodistrias's body was eventually moved to the Platytera Monastery in Corfu, historical records note that his internal organs were placed in a casket beneath the altar inside Saint Spyridon.
FAQ
Where is the bullet mark located at the Church of Saint Spyridon?
The bullet mark is embedded in the exterior stone wall, just to the right of the main entrance door, and is protected by a small glass-and-brass frame.
Who was assassinated at the Church of Saint Spyridon?
Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of the newly liberated Greek State, was assassinated at the church doorway on October 9, 1831, by Konstantinos and Georgios Mavromichalis.
What happened to the assassins of Ioannis Kapodistrias?
Konstantinos Mavromichalis was pursued by the crowd and mortally wounded on the spot. Georgios Mavromichalis sought refuge in the French embassy before being tried and executed by a firing squad.
Why did Ioannis Kapodistrias attend this specific church?
Kapodistrias regularly attended the Church of Saint Spyridon because Saint Spyridon is the patron saint of his native island, Corfu.
