Poros Russian Dockyard

Location: Russian Bay

The ruins of the Russian Naval Dockyard are located in Kalavria, the bigger of the two islands of Poros (Kalavria and Sferia). This dockyard stands as a historical symbol of the Greek-Russian military cooperation in the 18th and 19th centuries.

After its victory in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774 and the Treaty of Kucuk Kainardji (1774), Russia gained the right of free navigation on all seas washing the shores of the Ottoman Empire. Their maritime activity in the Mediterranean increased even more following the second war between the two empires in 1788-1792, which resulted in the need for more supply stations in the region. Thus, warehouses and bakeries were built in the port of Poros in the early 19th century.

The installations were in operation till 1830 when Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias asked to buy them so that they would serve the needs of the Greek Navy's dockyard. In return, he conceded a plot of land on the northwestern edge of the port. The new Russian facilities were magnificent and comprised even more and bigger storehouses.

Shortly after that, in 1831, Russian Bay played a prominent role in the civil strife between Kapodistrias and dissatisfied influential merchant families from Hydra, Spetses and Psara. The Russians rushed to assist the governor, whose troops landed at Russian Bay. However, their attempt to ambush the dissenters' forces failed and the Greek fleet's biggest ships were blown up.

Subsequently, the property was held by the Russians until 1900, though their presence in the Mediterranean had gradually begun to decline as a result of the increasing naval supremacy of the British. Despite being half-ruined, it was declared a historical monument in 1989. Visitors can still see the main building, which consists of three narrow-fronted rectangular compartments. Although their domes have crumbled, their traces can still be observed on the walls. Behind it, there is a second complex of warehouses.

Today the beach is a particularly nice place for swimming, and concerts or other events are often held there in the evenings.