At the western end of the seafront is the best preserved stretch of the original sea wall with its gate. Above that is the great bastion, from the 15th century, called “the Five Brothers,” referring to five great cannons that protected the entrance to the harbor. To the right as you look to sea is the fortified islet called Bourtzi which is open to the public.
Representing a segment of the extended fortification of the city, Bourtzi castle was built on the islet Agios Theodoros in 1473 by the Venetians and was linked to the Akronafplia castle by chain, intended to prevent enemy vessels from approaching. Following the liberation of Greece from the Ottomans, this Nafplio landmark served as a retreat for public executioners before being converted into a luxury hotel. These days, it hosts cultural events.
Renowned to have 999 steps that lead to the top of the castle, but, in actual fact, totaling about 853, Palamidi castle stands as a Nafplio landmark and one of the city’s most impressive sites. It was constructed in 1714 by the Venetians and features impressive fortification design comprised of eight bastions that operated independently. Even so, it fell to the Ottomans almost instantly following an act of betrayal.
The footprint of the original defensive wall and moat on the east side of the town is clearly visible, leading back to the 18th century bastion, and the Land Gate, which was in use until the beginning of the 20th century, has been faithfully rebuilt on its original foundations. You can see the drawbridge mechanism and the cart – worn cobbles.
© Shutterstock
The modernized museum occupies the former Venetian naval arsenal on the main square. It houses objects from nearby Bronze Age sites – Tiryns, Midea, etc. Its star attraction is the Dendra cuirass. Found in 1959 in the village of Dendra, this is a suit of Homeric body armor.
© Olga Charami
The lion is located in the Pronoia area. It was commissioned by King Otto’s father, Ludwig, as a memorial to the Bavarian soldiers who died of typhoid in Nafplio in the 1830s. Six meters long, it was carved from the surrounding rock itself. In its unadorned simplicity it is striking and utterly moving.
Splendid views of the sunset and city are offered from this landmark. The Clock Tower, at Akronafplia castle, was first constructed during the reign of King Otto, blown up by Nazi German forces in 1944 because it apparently obstructed the firing range, and reconstructed in 1949. The original clock mechanism, which had been saved, was re-installed.
© Shutterstock
Keith Sturgess | October 9th, 2015
Nafplio served as the original capital city of the newly independent Greek state from 1829 until 1824. Today, the city is a picturesque seaside resort nestled among the orange groves of the Peloponnese. There is something of interest on nearly ever corner. A walk down narrow, meandering side streets will lead to unexpected slices of history. When you’re done trying to tackle the not quite 999 steps of Palamidi Castle, take a break on the harbor with its panoramic view of the sea.
At the western end of the seafront is the best preserved stretch of the original sea wall with its gate. Above that is the great bastion, from the 15th century, called “the Five Brothers,” referring to five great cannons that protected the entrance to the harbor. To the right as you look to sea is the fortified islet called Bourtzi which is open to the public.
Representing a segment of the extended fortification of the city, Bourtzi castle was built on the islet Agios Theodoros in 1473 by the Venetians and was linked to the Akronafplia castle by chain, intended to prevent enemy vessels from approaching. Following the liberation of Greece from the Ottomans, this Nafplio landmark served as a retreat for public executioners before being converted into a luxury hotel. These days, it hosts cultural events.
Renowned to have 999 steps that lead to the top of the castle, but, in actual fact, totaling about 853, Palamidi castle stands as a Nafplio landmark and one of the city’s most impressive sites. It was constructed in 1714 by the Venetians and features impressive fortification design comprised of eight bastions that operated independently. Even so, it fell to the Ottomans almost instantly following an act of betrayal.
The footprint of the original defensive wall and moat on the east side of the town is clearly visible, leading back to the 18th century bastion, and the Land Gate, which was in use until the beginning of the 20th century, has been faithfully rebuilt on its original foundations. You can see the drawbridge mechanism and the cart – worn cobbles.
© Shutterstock
The modernized museum occupies the former Venetian naval arsenal on the main square. It houses objects from nearby Bronze Age sites – Tiryns, Midea, etc. Its star attraction is the Dendra cuirass. Found in 1959 in the village of Dendra, this is a suit of Homeric body armor.
© Olga Charami
The lion is located in the Pronoia area. It was commissioned by King Otto’s father, Ludwig, as a memorial to the Bavarian soldiers who died of typhoid in Nafplio in the 1830s. Six meters long, it was carved from the surrounding rock itself. In its unadorned simplicity it is striking and utterly moving.
Splendid views of the sunset and city are offered from this landmark. The Clock Tower, at Akronafplia castle, was first constructed during the reign of King Otto, blown up by Nazi German forces in 1944 because it apparently obstructed the firing range, and reconstructed in 1949. The original clock mechanism, which had been saved, was re-installed.
© Shutterstock
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