Description of the attraction
One of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Greece, which is definitely worth a visit, is rightfully considered to be the city of Nafplio (Nafplio) lying on the coast of the Argolic Gulf - the first capital of independent Greece. It is known that Nafplion and its surroundings have been inhabited since time immemorial, and an ancient legend says that the city was founded by the son of Poseidon and Amimon Nauplius, after whom it probably got its name.
Tourists will have a lot of pleasure walking along the winding streets of the Old Town and enjoying its unique flavor. It has its own special atmosphere, and the architecture harmoniously combines the styles of different eras and speaks without words about the presence in Nafplion at one time or another in the history of the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks.
The heart of Nafplion is undoubtedly the picturesque rocky promontory, where most of the Old City and the Akronafplia fortress, or Itz Kale, which means "inner castle" in Turkish, lies. It was here that the history of the city began many centuries ago, as evidenced by the well-preserved fragments of the ancient acropolis of the pre-classical period. Until the 13th century, a fairly well-fortified city presumably existed within the Akronafplia fortress, after which it expanded its boundaries significantly, and the old fortress became part of the new city fortifications and over time was dramatically transformed.
Akronafplia, as we see it today, was mostly built by the Venetians in the 14-15th centuries on the remains of earlier buildings (you can still see a magnificent bas-relief above the gates of the fortress with the image of the famous symbol of Venice - St. Mark's Leo) and was subsequently fortified by the Turks. By the end of the 15th century, on a tiny island lying in the harbor of Nafplion, the Venetians built the Bourdzi fortress, which has been perfectly preserved to this day, which can be reached today by boat from the city port.
The Palamidi fortress, lying to the east of the cape with the Akronafplia fortress on the top of a steep hill, at an altitude of 216 m above sea level, deserves special attention. It was also built by the Venetians, but already at the beginning of the 18th century during the second period of their reign in Nafplion. True, it is worth noting that the Turks subsequently made some additions, and also completely built one of the bastions of the fortress, but in general, Palamidi is a magnificent example of Venetian fortification architecture. However, it is worth climbing the hill not only for the sake of the old fortress, but also for the stunning panoramic views of the city and the bay opening from its top.
