Peloponnese: Pylos to Celebrate 196th Battle of Navarino

Photo source: Pylos-Nestoros Municipality.

Pylos, Peloponnese is getting ready to host the Navarinia 2023, an event that honors the 196th anniversary of the Battle of Navarino – a battle considered to have cemented Greece’s independence from the Ottomans during the 1821-1829 Greek War of Independence.

This year’s Navarinia will span over three days – October 18-20 – and conclude with the popular Battle of Navarino re-enactment organized by the Pylos-Nestoros Municipality and the Peloponnese Region.

The event’s highlights include:

• The Opening Ceremony

Photo source: Pylos-Nestoros Municipality.

Scheduled to take place at Pylos’ Three Admirals Square at 19:30 on Wednesday, October 18, the ceremony will feature students from the 1st Pylos primary school performing, while local cultural and folklore associations will present traditional dances.

• Screening of the Historical Documentary “Free the Inspiring“

The Tsiklitiras Mansion courtyard in Pylos will host a screening of the historical documentary “Free the Inspiring,” dedicated to the World War II Greek Navy battleship Adrias. The screening is scheduled for 19:00 on Thursday, October 19, and is organized by the “Archipelagos” cultural group. The group will also conduct educational presentations in Pylos’ primary schools, honoring the 196th anniversary of the Battle of Navarino.

• Concert by the Legendary Greek Navy Band

Photo source: Pylos-Nestoros Municipality.

The historic Greek Navy Band will also visit Pylos during Navarinia 2023 for a special concert event scheduled to take place at 20:30 on Thursday, October 19, at the Three Admirals Square.

Created in April 1879 by 28 volunteers, the Greek Navy band boasts a history of 144 years. It performed at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and inspired the crew of the Greek battleship Averoff during World War I. Since then, it has participated in numerous music festivals around the world, garnering rave reviews. A beloved band among the Greek diaspora in the US, the band also performed at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the Athens 2011 Special Olympics, and made cameo appearances in popular Greek films from the 50s and 60s.

• The Battle of Navarino Recreation Performance

Photo source: Pylos-Nestoros Municipality/ Drakopoulou Theodora.

The Battle of Navarino reenactment performance along the Pylos coastline is scheduled for 20:00 on Friday, October 20.

Photo source: Pylos-Nestoros Municipality.

Furthermore, during Navarinia 2023, the public will be able to visit a contemporary Greek battleship docked at Pylos’ port. Visiting hours are as follows: October 19 and 20 – 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 19:00.