Timeless and beautiful, lively and vibrant, picturesque and scenic, charming Nafplio will make you fall in love with it, as it holds the reigns of one of the most beautiful cities of Greece. Nafplio, the first capital of the newly-established Greek state and the place where the first political assassination in Greece took place, the city where the first Constitution Square was built, where the first national printing office was established and the first Greek Parliament was constructed along with the first theater of Greece and the first pharmacy; indeed, Nafplio was ahead of its time! Whether you are a lover of the deep emotions of not, Nafplio will inspire you feel the unique emotion of romanticism, , a place where you might think that time has stopped a while ago. However, one thing is certain; the sense of escapism will embrace your body and soul. Under the rock of Acronafplia, the old city of Nafplio lives in her own space-time. Houses with red tile roofs of past centuries seem detached from the present luring visitors to the period when Nafplio was the first capital of the newly established Greek state. Charming neoclassical balconies and majestic Venetian buildings create an architectural puzle interspersed from romanticism under the aromas of bougainvillea flowers. Quaint cobbled streets with wonderful buildings will accommodate your steps while the colours of the flowery balconies with their flavors will guide you through the beauty of Nafplio. Born in the pages of a novel and left to the history of yesterday, Nafplio unveils a fairytale story full of colours and scents ornamented from sights that will amaze every traveller. From the square of Constitution, the picturesque alleys of Psaromahalas and the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias to the island fortress of Bourtzi, the castle of Palamidi and the round of Arvanitia, Nafplio will astonish you. Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of Greece, dreamt of transforming Nafplio in a miniature of the principal cities of Europe. And so he did. Timeless Nafplio needs no introduction; in an open-air museum as Nafplio, where million of pages of Greek history were written with powerful conquerors and heroic uprisings, everyone will get ecstatic. Frankish buildings, Venetian houses and Neoclassical mansions give an enchanting atmosphere and lots of treasures to the beautiful city of Nafplio while cobblestone alleys and picturesque squares with hanging fuchsia bougainvillea flowers beautify her with wonderful colours. Nafplio’s rich history survives everywhere; each door unveils the mysteries of a different conqueror through myths and legends of this erotic city, above the imposing Palamidi castle with the 999 stairs until the Bourtzi fortress in the sea. In the heart of the old town of Nafplio, the historical Syntagma Square is a true jewel of the city, reminiscent of an Italian piazza, with its glorious Venetian buildings is an ideal starting point for strolling in the alleys of Nafplio. Psaromahalas, the most picturesque district of Nafplio, was the only district that existed in the lower city even before the 15^th century. From the years of Byzantium, it used to be inhabited from fishermen, as evidenced from its name, and today it remains one of the most charming regions of the old city of Nafplio. Climbing up to the slippery cobblestone alleys of Palamidi Castle gives a feeling of a labyrinth landscape, a spectacular location to enjoy the views to the island fortress of Bourzi. Napoli di Romagna, as the Venetians used to call Nafpio, exudes a spirit of nobility that will definetely make you explore all the mysteries of it. As for the beauty of this city, this is undeniable! With a castle-jewel to observe from above like the Olympian Gods, an island fortress to guard the pirate invasions from the sea and an emulated architecture that even Florence would be jealous of, Nafplio is a destination for your list! Even if you are no in love, when in Nafplio, you will want to be struck from the arrows of Cupid and ascend the starts to Palamidi to admire the cyclopean walls of Acronafplia. At the end, it will be inevitable not to feel nostalgia and melancholy upon leaving this erotic and poetic city.

On the southwest side of the Syntagma Square, you eyes will be captivated from the well-preserved mosque of Bouleutikon, the first parliament of the Greek State! The story behind its creation, however, is quite peculiar! Tradition has it that two Venetian men, descendants of a rich family, visited the city of Nafplio in order to find a hidden treasure left from the father of the one during the Venetian occupation. A well-preserved drawing-map helped them locate the treasure within the seraglio of the Turkish Aga, who was tempted to keep the treasure for himself by killing the two Venetians. According to tradition, the Turkish Aga felt remorse for his action, and he utilized the treasure for building the mosque. Since then, the mosque is known as the mosque of Aga Pasha! The mosque was first built in 1730 as an original Ottoman mosque with a huge hall and a massive dome, and it was destroyed from an earthquake in the beginning of the 20^th century. From the autumn of 1825, the mosque housed the Greek Parliament, hence its name of bouleutikon, which was used for several purposes including as a prison, a court for the trial of the chieftain of the Greek Revolution, Theodore Kolokotronis and Dimitrios Plapoutas, a school, a hospital, a dance hall and a conservatory. Nowadays, the ground floor of the Bouleutikon, formed from the Ministry of Culture, serves as a conference room while the first floor serves as the Municipal Gallery of Nafplio with a series of works of contemporary Greek Artists. Undeniably, the Bouleutikon is a must visit if you are visiting Nafplio!

Whether you are an archaeology lover or not, the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is a must! This imposing in size as well as strict in symmetry, stone-built structure was originally a Venetian arsenal, which was fully renovated in 2009, and stands as one of the most important museums of the country with a series of findings from excavations in the region of Argolis. Situated on the west side of Syntagma Square, this extraordinary emblem of Nafplio was constructed in 1713, during the second reign of the Venetians, under the Naval Proveditore Augustine Sagredo, to be used as the navy’s depository. It is worth mentioning that this building is acknowledged as one of the best well-preserved Venetian structures in Greece. The permanent exhibition of the museum spreads along two halls, within the building’s two floors, which is historically divided into several themes demonstrating the mark of every civilization in Argolida Prefecture.

Constructed in the beginning of the 18^th century, the church of Agios Spyridon is located in the Old Town of Nafplio. Its construction was completed in 1702 with the financing of the Nafplian Brotherhood of Orthodox Greeks. Although the church might not be much of a beauty on the outside; nonetheless, the interior of the church is distinctive and mysteriously divine; it is decorated with a series of Byzantine icons and paintings, and a wonderful fresco of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea that stands for its vivid colours and its unusual theme. This church of Agios Spyridon is related to one of the most tragic events of the Greek history, the assassination of the first governor of Greece. On September 27 of 1831, Ioannis Kapodistrias visited his favorite church, the church of Agios Spyridon, as he preferred this church that was dedicated to the protector of his homeland, Corfu Island. There, he met with two of opponents, the Mavromichalis brothers from Mani, who respectively picked up a gun and a knife and killed Kapodistrias; indeed, the prints of the bullets have been framed in a glass case.

Situated in a wonderful neoclassical building of the old town, the Komboloi Museum is one-of-a-kind museum you ought to visit if you are visiting Nafplio. The Komboloi Museum is a traditional workshop for the art of making worry beads. Within the museum, visitors will have the opportunity to admire a lovely exhibition of rosaries and prayer beads that Evangelinos collected himself during the last twenty years. The smooth and shiny beads arouse the curiosity of the visitors. The workshop of the museum was founded from the owners, Aris Evangelinos and Rallou Gromitsari, in 1998. The grandfather of Evangelinos learnt all the mysteries about chaplets from his grandfather in Alexandria, Egypt. The workshop maintains the old beads and creates replicas of old komboloi from handmade beads, most of which are manufactured in workshops in the East. Within the workshop, one will have the opportunity to find chaplets made of amber (old and modern cutting), coral, wood, bones, bakelite, horns, crystals, various fruits, blends old resins, artificial resin and many other materials.

Housed within a prominent building, a courtesy of the Municipality of Nafplio, the department of the National Gallery in Nafplio was founded in 2004, and it was restored and equipped museum-like with the aid of the public welfare institution: “Alexandros S. Onassis”.  The neoclassical building houses a collection of art works dedicated to the liberating cause of the Greek War of Independence of 1821 from renowned Greek artists including Theodoros Vryzakis, Nikolaos Gyzis and Nikiforos Lytras. The Department of the National Art Gallery also houses a number of albums and art books alongside a hall for short-term exhibitions, offering the museum the dynamics and the attraction needed to define its functionality. If you are an art lover, it is definite that you will fall in love with these masterpieces of art!

Underneath the imposing walls of Acronafplia, the Land Gate will definitely captivate your eyes. Once upon a time, the Land Gate was the sole entrance to the city of Nafplio, where there was a wide sea canal that started from the walls of Acronafplia till the naval yard. This monument used to have a vital importance during the Venetian occupation, as it was closed immediately after the sunset and people were not allowed to enter the city after that time. The Venetians constructed the Land Gate with local granite in 1687, and decorated it with the winged lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of Venice, surrounded from the coats and arms of the lords of Nafplio and Venice. On its left part, the commander Morosini placed a plate as a commemoration of the liberation of Nafplio in 1687. In the end of the 19^th century, the Land Gate was demolished and the seal canal gradually filled with soil. Travellers of Mysterious Greece should definitely visit the Land Gate to enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the city of Nafplio!

Located in the middle of the city’s harbor, the fortress of Bourtzi, which actually translates to the tower, is the trademark of Nafplio. The fortification project was completed from the Venetians in 1473 with the aim of protecting the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. Antonio Gambello was the architect and sculptor of the fortress, who designed it with the typical example of the Italian Renaissance military architecture, bearing all the defining features of a massive defensive structure, intended to repel invaders and to withstand siege. Luckily, the Greeks regained it from the Ottomans on 1822, from where they assisted in the siege of Nafplio, which became the seat of the first provisional government of the revolted Greek nation. Although Bourtzi served as a fortress until 1865, it was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle of Palamidi. Nowadays, the Bourtzi is used from events of the Summer Music Festival. It is highly advisable to hop into a traditional boat to visit Bourtzi and step back in the medieval past of Nafplio!

Rising above the old part of the town, Acronafplia Fortress is the oldest castle of the city of Nafplio. The imperious walls of Acronafplia bear witness to their rich history, holding the reigns of the most ancient part of the city of Nafplio. Imagine that once the whole city existed within these walls. Up until the thirteenth century, Acronafplia was a city on its own until the arrival of the Venetians and the Franks who transformed it into a vital part of the city’s fortifications. However, parts of the castle existed already from the Bronze Age. Acronafplia was extended and amplified respectively from the Romans, the Franks, the Venetians and the Ottomans. Traces of history have been uncovered through time, as evidenced from the remains of the walls from the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods. Although the majority of the castle has disappeared, it is a true monument of mankind worth visiting with unimaginable views to the northern parts of the city, the south of Arvanitia beach and the mountains of Arcadia.

Just before the declaration of the Greek State as an independent state, in 1840, Ioannis Karonis founded his own raki shop in Nafplio. Given his love for ouzo production, Karonis finds himself equipped with two distillation flasks to learn more about the mysteries of ouzo distillation. In 1869, his venture seems to materialize, since he establishes the distillery house by naming it Karonis. Pioneers, as they have always been, the two Karonis brothers settled their own unit of spirit production, using distilleries and machinery, far beyond the grasp of their time from Germany and France and built themselves a state of the art factory. Karonis brothers’ obsession with fulfilling optimum quality of their products led to the usage of top level aniseed and other, miscellaneous flavors, offering the invaluable recipe of Karonis ouzo, which remains unchangeable till today. Instilled with the same passion for perfection and the artistry overwhelming, the 5th generation of the Karonis family is pleased to continue the family’s tradition, offering optimum level quality of our spirits; a tradition initiated by Ioannis Karonis himself one and a half centuries ago. The Distillery Museum proudly presents tools, machinery and filed documents of the distillery house dated back from the 1880’s. Take a close look at the very first distillery flask and the market invoice from France…and many more. (Source: Nafplio.gr)

This is the award-winning museum of romantic Nafplio! Beautifully arranged from a collection of folklore costumes and household items of Nafplio’s rich history, the Peloponnesian Folklore Museum was established from its philanthropic owner, Vasilios Papantoniou, to preserve, demonstrate and maintain the Hellenic cultural activity. The museum focuses on textiles and outstanding costumes, wonderful handicrafts and household furnishings. A wide collection of the exhibits are precious heirlooms donated from Peloponnesian families. It is worth stating the museum has been awarded with the European Museum of the Year Main Award (EMYA) in 1981. Undeniably, the Peloponnesian Folklore Museum is not to be missed.

Can you imagine an exquisitely monumental-scale sculptured lion? The Lion of Bavaria, one of the most important Greek sculptures of the 19^th century, was carved into the rock from German artist, Kristian Ziegel, who was the first professor of sculptor at the University of Athens. According to the inscriptions, the sculpture was ordered from the king of Bavaria, Ludwig who was the father of the first king of Greece, Otto, in memory of the soldiers who belonged to the sequence of Otto and died in Nafplio between 1833 and 1834. The soldiers were buried in the nearby cemetery, which is known as the Bavarian Graves.

Famous for its romantic atmosphere and its idyllic sceneries, Nafplio is a city full of mysteries. Whether you can accept it or not, it is definite that the Napoli of the East will surprise you with things you could not even imagine you will find on this part of the Peloponnese peninsula! From climbing the 999 steps to reach the castle of Palamidi, enjoying the views from the Clock Tower and visiting the Grand Promenade, to enjoying your coffee at the square of Syntagma, wandering around the cutest neighborhood of Psaromahalas, and cycling at the circular road of Arvanitia, it is definite that this city will challenge you to fall in love with it again and again!

Rising of a two hundred and sixteen meters-high outcrop of a rock, the spectacular citadel of Palamidi with its excellent vistas has been characterized as one of the most prominent castles of the Peloponnese, if not Greece. Palamidi castle was constructed from the Venetians in the beginning of the 18^th century, and it is regarded one of the greatest masterpieces of Venetian military architecture. Within the walls of the castle, one will have the opportunity to admire a series of bastions, of which the best preserved is considered to be Agios Andreas Bastion that stands at the highest point of the 999 steps. The Venetians baptized the bastions with ancient Greek names, including Leonidas, Miltiades, Achilles and Themistocles, to give emphasis on the strength of the castle. It is worth mentioning that the struggle for liberation from the Ottomans began from the castle of Palamidi, which was seized from Greek rebels lead from Staikos Staikopoulos on November, 29 of 1822. Unquestionably, Palamidi Castle is a must visit, as it offers the most incredible views to the city of Nafplio!

Wear your shoes and search for the clock tower, which you will find while following the road that passes through Acronafplia! Be there twenty minutes before the sunset, and enjoy the magnificent colors of the sky! The clock tower of Nafplio was placed within the area of Acronafplia during the resign of King Otto, under the mayorship of Epaminondas Kotsonopoulos, as it was donated from Otto’s father, King Ludwig. However, the Germans decided to destroy it since it prevented a cannon from working. Nonetheless, the Clock Tower worked again on September 14 of 1849 at 5 pm! The Clock Tower of Nafplio is a authentic example of how the simple things in life can create the most unforgettable memories!

Megalos Dromos, which literally translates in Great Promenade, else known as Vasileos Konstantinou Street, was cosntructed according to European specifications on the initiative of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece. Back in the 19^th century, Megalos Dromos was the most important road in the city and this is why it was known as ‘megalos’ or ‘great’. The church of Agios Nikitas was demolished, as it stood in the middle, and Megalos Dromos led from the Mansion of the Governor in Syntagma Square, the central square of the city, to the Venetian Arsenal, the current Archaeological Museum of Nafplio. Nowadays, a series of buildings made in the times of Kapodistrias and Otto are still preserved; they were constructed in the neoclassical style, characterized from the symmetry of their facades. About half way along the Great Road, once stood the Xenos Residence, where Ioannis Kapodistrias spent the first part of his stay in Nafplio; unfortunately, this house was burnt in 1862. Another important neo-classical building is the one that housed the municipal gallery; it dates from the time of the Venetian occupation of Nafplio, which was rebuilt in the time of Kapodistrias. Its doorway is in the austere renaissance style. Today, the building has been restored and has been ceded to the administration of the department of theatrical studies of the University of the Peloponnese.The ‘Great Road’ along with Staikopoulou Street, which runs parallel, comprise the most important thoroughfares for local residents and visitors to city. There are shops along the length of both, and one can sit at one of the beautiful refreshment stands in the ‘Great Road’ or eat in one of the picturesque taverns in Staikopoulou Street. Despite the passing of time, the Nauplians still call this road ‘great’, to the surprise of visitors to the city, since this road is not that large. (Source: Nafplio.gr)

Syntagma Square, which literally translates to Constitution Square, is the most important and historic square in Nafplio, the center of the city! According to historical data, the Turkish commander of the Peloponnese, Mora-Pasha, used to have his seraglio on the square since 1540. During the 19th century, the square was known as ‘Platanos Square’, for the plane tree, which once occupied the centre, in the shade of which national politicians made speeches. In 1843, the name was changed to ‘Ludwig Square’, in honor of Ludwig, the father of King Otto, who had then visited the city. During the same year, after the revolution of September 3, in1843, when the Greeks demanded that Otto grant them a constitution, the name was changed first to Syntagma Square, then ‘Stratonas Square’, and ‘King George II Square’. Nowadays, visitors will have the opportunity to admire a series of important historic buildings in the square, including the Venetian Warehouse of the Fleet, which today houses the Archaeological Museum, the Bouleutirion, former mosque of Aga-Pasha, and the Allilodidaktiko School, which came to be known as the ‘Trianon’. The square was also once home to the residences of many of the great fighters of the Greek revolution, including Nikitaras Stamatelopoulos and Theodoros Kolokotronis. On the spot where the National Bank now stands, there was once the home of Kalliopi Papalexopoulou, which was built after the liberation of the city from the Turkish yoke. Mrs Papalexopoulou, the wife of the mayor of Nauplion, Spyridon Papalexopoulos, was at the head of the revolutionary movement for the removal of King Otto from Greece. In fact, it is said that her home was the centre for the organisation of the Nauplian revolution, which lasted from February to March 1862. Today, there is a monument to her memory outside the National Bank. The building of the National Bank dates from around 1930 and is the work of architect Zouboulidis. It has been influenced by the palaces of Mycenae, and is only a step away from the neoclassicism of the 1930s. (Source: Nafplio.gr)

Undeniably, the fishermen’s neighborhood is one of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods of the city of Nafplio. Situated under the northwestern foot of Acronafplia, just above Staikopoulos Street, Psaromahalas was a settlement since the end of the Byzantine period of Nafplio, as it was inhabited from Greek merchants and fishermen. During these difficult times of the second Turkish occupation, Psaromahalas was probably the sole neighborhood inside the city walls to continue to be occupied from the Greeks, most of who were fishermen and moored their boats in the quay below the bastion of Pente Adelphia. Today Psaromachalas is one of the most picturesque quarters of the old town of Nafplio. Climbing the characteristic steps, one can see houses from various periods, some renovated: some in ruins. From the highest road one can see a section of The Acronauplia walls. Concerning Psaromachalas Square, it was once a very important hospital for the poor, the first in Greece, a bequest of the Florentine Duke of Athens, Nerio Acciaiuoli. With the exception of short intervals, the hospital had a long history of operation; from 1394 to the end of the 1940’s, when it was demolished. The only trace left of this important hospital is the Chapel of Aghii Apostoli, which was constructed by the Venetians and was originally located inside the hospital grounds. (Source: Nafplio.gr)

The Promenade of Arvanitia, as known from the locales of Nafplio, is one of the most beautiful promenades in the city of Nafplio. Dominated from the wild and craggy rocks of the Acronafplia with its impressive walls, the route of Arvanitia spreads over a cobblestone road of one kilometers. About half way through the walk, one will have the opportunity to admire a tiny lovely chapel perched on the rocks, a favorite place to visit! This chapel is known locally as Panagitsa, Panagia tis Spilias, or Santa Maria della Grotta to the Venetians. From this spot, the view of the Argolic Gulf is spectacular! The promenade finishes at the square of Arvanitia. Tradition has it that this region was given the name of Arvanitia owing to the fact that it was off these rocks that Kapetan-Pasha threw the Albanian mercenaries who had overrun the area in 1779. Another story, however, claims that the name was given due to the fact that Albanians had inhabited the area outside the walls since the time of the first Venetian occupation. Moving on from the square, travellers can continue walking to the east on the food of Palamidi Castle until the beach of Karathona. One way or another, it is definite that you have to walk the Arnanitia Promenade, as it is one of the top five things to do in Nafplio! Don’t forget that the best time to go round Arvanitia is at sunset! You won’t regret it!

An unexpected awe will fill up your soul. Traces immortalized from time; in the palaces of Mycenae, the ghost of Aegisthus, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, persons of myth and tragedy dipped in human passions, seem to hang around seeking for vindication, as the tragic poets did. Mycenae, the capital of Greece in prehistoric times and religious center of the Mycenaean world, was firstly called rich from Homer eight centuries ago. Aeschylus was the first who, in the peak of the Greek culture, followed from Sophocles and Euripides, revived the fate of the generation of Atreides talking about the palace of the Mycenaean. It’s more than a century since Schlieman, the first to unveil the mysteries of Mycenae, brought to light the royal tombs of its citadel opening a new chapter in the history of European civilization. Mycenae is the place that fueled archaeology, literature, theater and research with an astonishing wealth of material, unique in the world! Just like the Trojan War never happened, and Agamemnon did not exist so as to sacrifice his daughter so that winds would blow and grasp the woman of his brother from the arms of Paris while loading the treasures of his father on the ships. All these legends and myths illuminated the fantasy of Homer. Yet, it felt like humanity united the moment that Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Iphigenia were born again from an amateur archaeologist searching for the Treasure of Atreus. Signed by the name Heinrich Schliemann, his telegram to King George I was saying “… I saw the face of Agamemnon. I found incalculable treasures in the tombs of Mycenae, archaic objects made from pure gold. The treasures themselves can fill an entire museum, the most beautiful in the world…”. However, this face that was confronted from him belonged to a king of Mycenae who lived there three hunded years before him; this golden mask became one of the most recognizable findings of international archaeological excavation. He was the one who found the palace of Mycenae along with its underground tanks that used to suppy it with water three centuries ago. From the large plateau, where the throne room used to be one, Agamememnon stood and felt invincible. The rich city of Atreus and his sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus, and all of the Mycenaean kings who lived there will definitely amaze you; the phantasmagorical view of the Argolis plain and the timeless view of the Aegean Sea from the palace will take your breath away. The Lion Gate, the official entrance to the city of Mycenae, will leave you speechless. Heritage and legacy of this powerful European civilization, Mycenae is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world you will ever discover. Protagonist of the show is no one else than your imagination, which will guide you through the palace of Agamemnon and the religious center of the Acropolis, the Cyclopean walls and the underground cisterns, the vaulted tomb of Clytemnestra and the Treasure of Atreus. Will you explore a route between epic and drama in the city of Mycenae?

Just eight kilometers from Argos, the most ancient city of the country, one will have the opportunity to discover a city build from the Cyclopes. Recognized as a World Heritage Site from UNESCO, Tiryns is a palace complex with impressive construction that you won’t believe in your eyes. Mythology has it that the architects of Tiryns were the Cyclopes, who arrived there to the city with Proetus, their legendary founder. The occupation of Tiryns goes back seven thousand years, from before the beginning of the Bronze Age. It served as one of the most important centers of the Mycenaean world, particularly in Argolida prefecture, which distinguishes for its palace and its cyclopean walls. Certainly, the construction of the wall is unbelievable, a challenge to logic, even for today’s visitors. One stands in awe in front of the perfect assembly of these huge boulders, unable to understand either how or who could have performed such a great feat of engineering.

Timeless and beautiful, lively and vibrant, picturesque and scenic, romantic Nafplio will make you fall in love with it, as this city maintains a state of love with it. Bougainvillea flowers, cobblestone alleys, wonderful squares and panoramic vistas, fortified castles and monuments of a millennia, create the most peaceful atmosphere one could ever find a short drive away from Athens, always overlooking the vastness of the Aegean Sea. Unquestionably, a long weekend in Nafplio will travel you back in time, where romanticism is granted. Tick tock tick tock . . . the time passes! Grab your keys and drive to the romantic city of Nafplio, which will fill you up with moments of utmost serenity!