Nafplio Things to Do

2 more images

Above Nafplio there is the Akronafplion which contains constructions named after the ancient inventor Palamedes of the 13C BC. The Palamidi fortress stands out along the side of the mountain built by the Venetian governor Sagreda in 1711. After a 10 day siege in 1715 it was taken by the Turks. Venetians built the castles on the summit which can be visited.

2 more images

Nafplio offers a great opportunity to walk around the small area at the harbor and you will find many photo ops. The piazza are cleaned daily, and the shops are tidy. If you look up on the hill you will see the old castle, worth attending later on for sure.

There are two other fortresses in Nafplio in addition to the Bourtzi fort.

The Palamidi castle, also Venetian, was built between 1686 and 1715. We saw it looming over the town but didn't have time to visit. It looks really interesting though. You can get to it by road (a bus goes up there), or climb 999 stairs to the top.

The Akronafplia fortress is the oldest one, but I think it is more difficult to reach. We didn't even see it.

3 more images

Head to the harbor and take a short boat ride across the bay to the Bourtzi fortress, built in 1471 by the Venetians to defend the city from pirates. The fortress is on a small island 450 meters offshore. It is one of three Venetian fortresses here.

4 more images

If you visit Nafplion, visiting Palamidi Fortress is the one thing you MUST do. Although the castle itself is quite interesting and suprisingly large, it's the view that makes it all worthwhile.
Set 216 metres above the town, Palamidi sits dominating Nafplion's sprawling old and new towns. Built around 1711, it was the last fortress to be built by the Venetians in Greece. It contained eight small forts and a large, central fort. It was named after Nafplion's most legendary son, Palamedes who invented the die, lighthouses and measuring scales. A worthy memento indeed!!
The fortress also is home to the prison where the War of Independence hero Thoedore Kolokotronis was held for several years after being tried for treason. This is a tiny doorway leading down into the dank and dark depths of the castle into a minute space with no light whatsoever. Not pleasant accommodation.....
The cobbles and steps are slippy with wear so make sure you wear sensible shoes. There are also sheer drops over some edges, some only with a low railing. Keep a very close eye on children.
There are drinking fountains scattered about and outside, if you arrive by road, is a drinks stall selling fresh juices among other things.

Entrance 2006 : €4 adults.
Children free.

Open: Summer: Mon - Fri 8am -7pm.
Sat and Sun. 7.30am - 3pm.
Winter: Daily 7.30am - 3pm.

Not for the fainthearted, especially on a hot day when you'd be well advised to go up early in the morning (and bring water!). Supposedly there are 1000 steps (tho have also heard 857 mentioned, which is less romantic) and I did try to count them but I kept losing my place every time I looked at the town below. The going is not particularly hard and no doubt there are some who would consider this a pleasant uphill jog but I was pleased enough to get to the top and have a breather.

At the top are the Palamidi fortifications. These were for their day (1710 or so) state of the art and having just experienced the climb up and then marveling at the state of preservation of most of the individual bastions you'd expect they would have been impregnable. In fact, they fell within 3 years of being constructed and do not appear to have put up much resistance at all.

You can go and see the cell that Kolokrotronis was kept in although to be honest if you're not interested in Greek history the main attraction of being up here is the view. Once ready to leave you can either walk back down by the longer but gentler road or head back down the steps.

I wasn't sure about this beforehand. How interesting could a museum of worry beads possibly be? Aut as soon as I looked in the windows of this fascinating workshop and museum I had to go in.

This is a one man mission to save the beautiful old-style komboloi, traditionally made of lovely, 'living' materials like amber or nacre, but made of ugly synthetic materials these days.

The museum shows how the (secular) komboloi derived from prayer beads and how the concept of prayer beads passed from one religious faith to another. There are examples of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Catholic prayer beads on show - many of them exquisite.

I was very moved by the experience in a way I can't quite describe or account for. It was partly a sensuous experience : the sight and sound and feel of the beads, and the light at the heart of the amber. In part, perhaps, it was the idea of these beautiful beads being a link between many faiths, and a link back to our past.

The owner has written an interesting and rather fantastical book about his pursuit of the komboloi: you can buy it from the website. You can also buy key rings and komboloi online.

2 more images

Syntagma square, in the centre of the old city.


Information
Name: Syntagma sqaure
Theme: Centre of Nafplio city
Location: Naflio City
Last Visit: August 2007


My Photos
First Photo: Syntagma sqaure