Description of the attraction
On a small island in the middle of the harbor of Nafplion, the Bourdzi fortress is located - one of the three famous fortifications of the city of Nafplion. The Venetians called this fortress "Castelli". The fort got its current name "Burdzi" during the period of Ottoman rule.
The construction of Fort Burdzi began in 1471 by the architect from Bergamo Antonio Gambello. The work was completed under the direction of engineer Brancaleoni and was completed in 1473. The Venetians very well fortified not only the Bourdzi fort, but the whole city, which provided good protection from pirates and other invaders from the sea. The structure had three floors, which were connected by a movable staircase, and two entrances - from the south and north sides.
The main purpose of this fortification was to prevent enemy ships from reaching the shore. This was achieved in a rather simple way with the help of very heavy chains that stretched on both sides of the fortress to the shores of the bay. At the slightest danger, the chains rose from the seabed, and not a single ship could get into the city harbor.
Since 1715, the Turks dominated here and, in order to strengthen the protection of the harbor, they erected a stone barricade on the seabed, which prevented large ships from approaching the fortress and the city. In 1822, the Greeks conquered this territory. For some time it housed the executioner's residence (for prisoners held in the Palamidi fortress). After the reconstruction of Burdzi by the project of a German architect from 1930 to 1970, the hotel was located in the fortress.
Fort Burdzi is one of the most significant landmarks in Nafplion and the venue for the Summer Music Festival. There is also a restaurant on the territory of the fortress. You can get to the fort by boat from the port of the city.
