Nafplio

An island fortress, a seaside walk, a beautiful old town, a hilltop castle –Nafplio is jam-packed full of history. In fact, it was the first capital of Greece in 1828. But that’s only half the story - it’s also a lively town with some of the best food around, lots of great spots for coffee and one-off shops with quality souvenirs and crafts. Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll love the buzz in the streets and squares, and the relaxing vibe of the port and promenade. And if all that hasn’t persuaded you to add Nafplio to your bucket list, booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards for 2022 reckon that it’s the fourth most welcoming city in the world, and in 2021 CNN ranked it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

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An island fortress, a seaside walk, a beautiful old town, a hilltop castle – Nafplio is jam-packed full of history. In fact it was the first capital of Greece in 1828. But that’s only half the story -it’s also a lively town with some of the best food around, lots of great spots for coffee and one-off shops with quality souvenirs and crafts. Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll love the buzz in the streets and squares, and the relaxing vibe of the port and promenade.And if all that hasn’t persuaded you to add Nafplio to your bucket list, booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards for 2022 reckon that it’s the fourth most welcoming city in the world, and in 2021 CNN ranked it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet!

IN THE CENTRE OF NAFPLIO
The heart of the old town is Syntagma Square with its historic buildings that tell a story of the city’s varied history. For example, the Trianon was built as a mosque and then housed the first school and the square is also home to the three-storey building of the Archaeological Museum and the National Bank building which was built in the interwar period. Nafplio was the first capital of Greece after the country gained independence from Ottoman rule, and just off the square, on Staikopoulou Street, you can see the building where the first Parliament was held.
From Staikopoulou Street, go along the narrow alley to the left of the parliament and you’ll find yourself on Kapodistriou Street. Turn left along the street towards the church of Agios Spyridon where Ioannis Kapodistiras, first head of the independent Greek state, was assassinated in 1831. The only hammam in the city is just across the street from the church, and continuing along the street you’ll find a pleasant small square.

Trion Navarchon Square or the Three Admirals’ Square. This impressive square marks the entrance to the historic old town of the city. You are never far from memories of the Greek War of Independence in the Peloponnese, and Trion Navarchon Square (which means Three Admirals) is dedicated to the British, French and Russian Admirals who orchestrated victory in the famous Naval Battle of Navarino during the Greek War of Independence. The statue of King Otto is on the site of the Governor’s House of I. Kapodistrias which later became the residence of King Otto. In the square you will also see the Town Hall, which was the first middle school of liberated Greece.

FORTRESS OF PALAMIDI
Palamidi has watched over Nafplio for more than 300 years and is considered the largest and best-preserved Venetian castle in Greece. The steep hill was named after the Homeric hero Palamedes. If you are in good physical condition, try climbing up the 999 steps to the top (actually, there are really 857 steps, but local legends say 999 as it sounds better!) Pause on the way from time to time to catch your breath and enjoy the amazing view of the city and the Argolic Gulf. If you prefer to take the easy way, you can drive up to the east gate. Read more.

BOURTZI
Just a few meters from the city's waterfront, in the middle of the sea, is the much-photographed island of Bourtzi with the Venetian castle built in 1473 by the Italian engineer Antonio Gambello. Bourtzi and Palamidi are the two main landmarks of Nafplio. Its first name was Castello dello Soglio (Castle of the Throne). A chain from Acronafplia to Bourtzi protected the port from invaders - hence the Venetian name Porto Cadena (port of the chain). The name Bourtzi (island-fortress) was given by the Ottomans. It was the first prison of Theodoros Kolokotronis; It hosted the Greek government twice (in 1824 and 1827); It became the residence of the executioners of Palamidi (1865); It was the centre of the Tourism Organisation (in the 1930s) and in the 1960s-1970s it served as a restaurant and luxury hotel. In 2022, restoration works were carried out so that it could be used as a cultural site.

ACRONAFPLIA
The rocky peninsula of Acronafplia was the acropolis of Nafplio, which the Turks called Its-Kale (inner fortress). The first fortifications were built in classical times. Akronafplia has three levels of fortifications, each of which was a separate castle built in a specific historical period. The first wall was built in the 3rd century BC. and was reinforced by the Byzantines. The Franks built their own castle, which was completed by the Venetians who then built the Castel del Toro fortress under the acropolis, at the north point of the peninsula, during the period of the second Venetian rule. This castle was equipped with five cannons, “the five brothers". In recent history, the buildings have been used as a military hospital, barracks and prisons.

The fortifications of Akronafplia that are still preserved are an architectural ensemble of ancient, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Turkish elements. Start from the square above the beach of Arvanitia, and go uphill to the old "Xenia” hotel. You will pass by the Grimani Bastion, the Castel del Toro, the Frankish Castle and the Castle of Romioi and you will reach the chapel of Agioi Anargyroi.
On the plateau that you will encounter, just below the Old Clock, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets of Argolida.

THE MUSEUMS OF THE CITY
Archaeological. The collections in this great museum present the evolution of the cultures of Argolida from prehistory to late antiquity. A highlight is the famous bronze Dendra armour (late 15th century BC).

Basil Papantoniou Foundation (BPF). The permanent exhibition has about 50,000 objects, most of which date back to the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. You will see an impressive collection of costumes, toys from around the world, jewellery, paintings and prints. The very interesting exhibition of fashion clothing and accessories is constantly being enriched.
The city is also home to the War Museum, the National Gallery and the Childhood Museum "Stathmos”.
The Music Festival of Nafplion is held every summer at the end of June. You can listen to great music at the concerts organised in various parts of the city.
In and around Nafplio there are organized beaches with wonderful sea for swimming. Some of these beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag.

The harbour of Nafplio
The port, cosmopolitan and beautiful, with its lighthouse, is the city’s opening to the sea. During the tourist season it is full of sailing boats, yachts and cruise ships. Visitors can find all the facilities they need to enjoy a safe and comfortable stay here. In spring, the impressive Mediterranean Yacht Show is organized by the Hellenic Marine Tourism Association with the support of the Municipality of Nafplio.

Museums in Nafplio

Nafplio War Museum. Since 1988, this annex of the Athens War Museum has been housed in a three-storey neoclassical building chosen by Kapodistrias to house Greece's first Evelpid school.
On display are relics from the school's history, as well as war material from the Revolution of 1821, the Macedonian Struggle, the Balkan Wars, etc. 
Amalias 22, Open Monday-Sunday 09.00-19.00, tel: 27520 25591, https://warmuseum.gr 

National Gallery (Nafplio branch). Housed in a listed neoclassical building dating from 1905. The building's exemplary renovation and the purchase of museum equipment were made possible by a donation from the Alexander Onassis Foundation. Here you can admire the National Gallery's collection of works of art, whose main theme is the Struggle of 1821. It hosts events as part of the Nafplion Festival and organizes periodic painting exhibitions.
Sidiras Merarchias 23. Tel: 27520 21915-35.

The "Stathmos" Children's Museum Created by the Vassilis Papantoniou Foundation in the town's old railway station. Here, children can admire collections of toys and costumes. Karagiozis shadow theater and puppet shows are also held here. (Tel.: 27520 289470). 

For the Nafplio Archaeological Museum, see the corresponding section.

The Nafplio Music Festival

The Nafplio Music Festival has been held every year since 1992 at the end of June, under the auspices of the Nafplio Municipality, with the aim of "promoting good music". If you're in town on these days, you'll be able to enjoy wonderful musical evenings in the most beautiful places: in the Palamidi fortress, in the squares, in the Art Gallery of Nafplio, in the Parliament and elsewhere. Under the moonlight and illuminated castles, you'll enjoy concerts by symphony orchestras, quartets, internationally renowned chamber orchestras and a number of renowned Greek and foreign artists. https://www.nafplionfestival.gr

Location

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