This is one of Greece’s most beautiful cities (12,000 residents) and until 1834 it was the first capital of the newly established Greek state, following independence from the Turks. The city was established during the prehistoric period and participated in the Argonaut Expedition and the Trojan War. It fell into decline during the Roman period and was revived under Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Turkish rule, all of whom have left their visible marks on the city.
Nafplio has a large variety of attractions that make it a great destination to for travellers. Highlights include:
The Old City with the historical buildings, the marvellous neo-classical houses, the small narrow streets and the pedestrian walkways. The legendary castle at Palamidi is the city’s point of reference. The ascent to Palamidi until 1956 was via the 999 stone steps that were built by the Bavarians. Since 1957 there is a motorway that leads to the fortress. The fortress was built by the Venetians in 1687 and devolved to the Turks from 1715 until 1822. After a long siege it was captured by the Greeks. After the War of Independence it was a prison for prisoners on death row. Theodoros Kolokotronis was imprisoned here when he was sentenced to death, together with the two judges (Tertsetis and Polyzoidis) who refused to sign his conviction.
Akronafplia is situated on a rocky peninsula at the foot of Palamidi hill. This was the location of Nafplio during the Byzantine age. It has been successively occupied by the Romans, Franks, Venetians and Turks. The latter named it “Its Kale”. King George I (19th century) built barracks and a prison here. In 1970 hotels were built on the site of the ruins.
Bourtzi is the Venetian castle that is situated on the rocky islet at the entry of the port. The executioners who executed prisoners on death row at Palamidi lived here until 1865. You can travel here by boat from the port. Syntagma Square has been constructed in the Italian style and has two mosques and many historical buildings, such as the First Greek Parliament and the first Mutual Teaching School (nowadays a cinema theatre).
The Archaeological Museum is housed in an old Venetian building (1713) in the Syntagma square. There are 2,000 exceptionally interesting findings in its chambers which have arrived from the wider region and cover the period from the Palaeolithic to the Roman age. It is worth seeing the armour dating to the 15th century B.C. discovered in the Mycenaean cemetery at Dendron, the “cooler” from Tiryns (Bronze age), the “Lord of Asini”, the clay head of a Mycenaean age statuette (15th century B.C.) and the clay figures with a pork face (7th century B.C.).
Email a travel consultant
The War Museum is housed in the buildings of the former Military Academy and exhibits the modern military history of Argolida. The Central Public Library and the Art Gallery, the Peloponnesian Folklore Museum Institute, the Children’s Museum (at the old railway (O.S.E). station) and the unique Komboloi Museum. The Municipal Building in the Trion Navarhon square, which housed Greece’s first Secondary School. The Pili tis Xiras (Shore Gate), built together with Palamidi and was renovated recently and the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias, modern Greece’s first prime minister in the square of the same name are local landmarks.
The “Pronoia” suburb with low level and picturesque houses is the first area constructed outside the city (1828). The memorial scale stone carved lion in honour of the Bavarians who died in Greece during the 1833-34 plague (“Lion of the Bavarians”, 1840-1841), which is considered to be one of the most significant 19th century sculptures in Greece is situated at the centre of a small park in Michael Iatrou Street. It is also worth visiting the neoclassical cemetery (1852) with the exceptionally artistic sepulchral sculptures dating to the 19th and early 20th centuries as well as the historical churches in the region of Agioi Pandes, Agia Triada and Evangelistria.
The churches of Agios Spiridonas outside which Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece’s first prime minister, was assassinated, Agios Georgios (17th century) the metropolitan church and boasts significant hagiography and icons, such as the copy of the “Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci, Agios Nikolaos, Gennissi tis Theotokou (Birth of the Virgin Mary) and Metamorphosis.
Near-by destinations include:
Tiryns (7 km N) it is worth visiting one of the most famous archaeological sites, namely Ancient Tiryns. The first buildings belong to the Neolithic Period. The cyclopean walls were built in the 14th and 13th century B.C. and embrace the upper, middle and lower acropolis. The city extends around the acropolis. Nearby (1 km NW) is a tholos Mycenaean tomb.
Nea Kios (7 km W) is a seaside city with huge tourist activity that has been constructed at the edge of Nafplio bay. It is worth seeing the Cultural-Conference Centre (in the central square) and the Laskarideio Folklore Museum. Interesting events occur during Carnival week, in the summer (“Mikrasiatika” and “Kiana”) and in September (“The Papalinas feast”).
Miloi (12 km SW) with the ruins of Ancient Lerna, which has been renowned since the mythological battle of Heracles with the Lernaean Hydra.
Useful Travel Links
