Fortress of Palamidi

The imposing Palamidi, the watchful guardian of Nafplio at 216 m high, is considered the largest and best-preserved castle of the Venetian era in Greece. The steep hill was named after the Homeric hero Palamedes.

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The majestic Palamidi has watched over Nafplio for more than 300 years. It is named after the Homeric hero Palamedes and is considered the largest and best-preserved Venetian castle in Greece. The Venetians occupied the site in 1686. General Morosini wanted to build a castle here to protect the entrance to the Argolic Gulf, but it wasn’t until 1711 that building work finally began. The castle was designed by the engineers Ziaxich and Lassalle and it only took three years to build. (1711-1714).

The castle’s defences relied on a system of eight tiered, mutually supporting bastions connected by walls. The fortress was linked with the town of Nafplio initially through a gallery and later with the famous 999 steps. In 1715, just one year after its completion, it fell into Turkish hands. A century later, in 1822, it was captured by the Greeks after a long siege. This event, on the one hand, was the starting point for the liberation of the city, and on the other hand, was much admired by the European public since they considered the castle impregnable.

After the reconquest of Palamidi, the Greeks gave names to the bastions, which thus changed their names for the third time (before, they had Venetian and Turkish names). Below the bastion of Themistocles stretches the beach of Arvanitia. 

Palamidi was also used as a prison for long-term convicts. Greek General Theodoros Kolokotronis was imprisoned in one of the castle's cells - in the Miltiades Bastion. 

THE 857 STEPS
If you are in good physical condition, try to climb up the 999 steps to Palamidi (actually there are only 857). Stop on the way 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 your vehicle up to the east gate.

Did you know that

The castle in Palamidi is open daily from 08.00 - 20.00, Tel.: +30 27520 28036.

The small church of Agios Andreas is located inside.

Read more at kastra.eu

Location

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