Welcome to Beautiful Tarpon Springs, Florida!

Sponge Docks

In 1890, a developer discovered sponges growing off the coast of Tarpon Springs. Soon, Greek sponge divers began immigrating to the area. Tarpon Springs is a leader in the world's natural sponge market. All aspects of the sponge industry take place in Tarpon Springs, from the harvesting of the sponge, all the way to the auctions that are held weekly at the Sponge Docks for the wholesalers. The Greek community still thrives, and visitors still enjoy authentic Greek food and purchase sponges off the docks. Tarpon Springs is a part of Pinellas County, which is located in west central Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico.

The earliest sponge fishing was performed from small boats that carried four or six divers, who would go to depths as great as 30 metres. An 'observer' would sit in a space in the bow, peering into the water through a metal cylinder with a glass bottom. As soon as he spotted sponges, a diver was sent overboard, usually naked and carrying in his hands a large, flat stone of marble or granite. The stone weighed about 15 kg and had a hole in the centre through which a rope was passed and fastened to the boat. Depending on his body strength, once underwater the diver would either release the stone and harvest the sponges into a net or keep the stone to help find his way back to the boat. These 'skin divers' had neither suits nor breathing equipment and would simply stay underwater for as long as their breath would allow.

Epihany

In Tarpon Springs, Epiphany on January 6 is truly a celebration of life in this unique community on the Gulf of Mexico. Schools close so that students can join family, friends, and as many as 25,000 thousand visitors at an array of events.

Greek men, primarily from the Dodecanese Islands, have been diving for sponges in the waters near Tarpon Springs since 1905. The men were recruited to continue this traditional occupation when it was discovered that Florida's waters provided the only U.S. habitat for natural sponges. Those who did not dive staffed or maintained the boats, sold the sponges, or practiced other related maritime occupations. The divers gradually brought their families and their religious beliefs to Florida where they flourished. Today, the sponge industry endures and Tarpon Springs preserves its strong Greek character and maritime heritage.

Young Greek men have braved the chilly January waters of Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs since 1920 in hopes of capturing the coveted Epiphany cross. Although there were similar events in Greece, Epiphany observances in Tarpon Springs have exceeded the fame of all others. One reason for this is the fortuitous location of the church near the Spring Bayou. "It was born this city, to become an Epiphany city. You go down from this church to the bayou, a walking distance of one block, and automatically you find yourself in an amphitheater setting....From any place people - thousands of people - can see the celebration. You can't find such a thing, even in Greece, " explains Father Tryfon Theophilopoulos, Dean of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, when the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. The day begins with a Divine Liturgy, usually celebrated by His Eminence Spyridon, Archbishop of America, and assisted by Father Tryfon Theophilopoulos and assistant priest Father John Katsoulis of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. St. Nicholas was built in 1943 to replace an original structure built by Greek settlers and is a replica of St. Sophia in Constantinople. Beautiful icons, stained glass, and Greek marble grace the interior. Since so many attend, churchgoers must arrive very early to gain a seat. Many children wear the colorful costumes of their ancestral islands to the service.