Nafplio

It was the first capital of Greece and it still maintains its historical identity in the old part of the town, where elements of venetian architecture, turkish decoration and neoclassical finesse still manage to co-exist. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful provincial capitals of the country. At the same time it is modern, with a well organized tourist infrastructure, capable of catering to the needs of a steady tourist flow all year round.


DON’T FORGET TO VISIT

• The medieval venetian castle Palamidi, built on a location of prehistoric fortification, looming like a heavy shadow over the city. Kolokotronis (hero of the 1821 Revolution) was held prisoner in one of its bleakest and dampest cells waiting to be executed.

• Akronafplia, which is built at the foot of the castle on three different levels. In the olden years the citadel of the ancient Nafplia used to be on the western level - which happens to be the oldest - surrounded by cyclopean walls. The fortification of Akronafplia was expanded over the centuries, while the town was under the occupation of the Romans, the Franks, the Venetians and the Turks in turn.


• Bourtzi, residence of the executioners of Palamidi during the post-revolutionary period. It is a rock island at the entrance of the harbor, fortified by the Venetians in 1471 and connected to Akronafplia with a heavy chain. It used to control the naval traffic towards Nafplio.

• The relics of the mycenaean citadel of the prehistoric city of Tirintha near the homonymous village, 7 klm north of Nafplio. The city was destroyed in mid 5th century. West of Tirintha you can find the archaeological site of Lerna, which was a significant trading center during the early Copper Age.

• The Archaeological Museum, a gem of venetian architecture, which houses many unique treasures of the Mycenaean period, brought to light by excavations in this historic area.

• The Sintagma square with the two turkish mosques, one of which hosted the meeting of the first Greek Parliament.


• The historical churches of Agios Spiridonas - outside of which the first governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias was murdered - and Agios Georgios (Saint George) with the renaissance style decorations built in the 16th century. You can also visit the church of Metamorphosi (Transfiguration of Christ) that was built during the occupation of the Franks and was turned into a mosque, and later on to a catholic cathedral.

• The building of the Scholi Evelpidon (Army Cadets Academy) which hosts the War Museum (Tel. 25591), with a multitude of exhibits from the more contemporary military history of the area and the War Office of the first Greek Government.