Why "Speires"...

Because of the long history of this little island, that reflects upon today with a beauty like no other.

The title is attributed to the spiral cave paintings that still exist today on the island and date back to the Early Bronze Age (30,000 BCE). The engraved spirals of Iraklis, as they were named due to their construction, can be found engraved on stones and rocks scattered around the northern area of Agios Athanasios, Agios Mamas, the village of Panagia and on the slope of the Northern Spilia. From 1998 until today, 23 spiral homocentric cave-paintings have been found and recorded on the island. Many of them have been destroyed over time, as is was believed that piratic treasures were hidden underneath the spiral- engraved stones. However but they have not been associated with piratic activities are they are symbols of the Early Bronze Age.

There are plenty of theories regarding the symbolism of the spirals. Some people detect astrological references, motions of the sun and the moon, while certain researchers claim that they are road signs, marking springs or snake symbolisms for good luck. In Irakleia, the spirals are facing the East and could possibly mark the areas of cemeteries, as in a couple of cases graves have been found nearby. The interpretations are plentiful ... As are the associations of this symbol to other cultures around the world...

So Speires, because this is our respectful history that we want to keep it intact...