Nauplia

Today we want to introduce you to the wonderful town of Nauplia in Italian Nafplio. We find it in the Peloponnese and it is the capital of Argolis, a region where the myth and archaeological sites are among the best known and appreciated.

An ancient territory with a Neolithic area of the Ancient Helladic of Lerna where there are the ruins of the cities of Argos, Mycenae, Tiryns and Asini which perfectly represent the heart of the Mycenaean civilization from where the culture then expanded throughout Greece.

Nauplia is undoubtedly a destination for those who want to wander around and discover magical places, where there is also the sea but it is not the absolute protagonist. It is a perfect holiday for lovers of history, of knowledge of such an important and sacred territory, where you can relax and enjoy what Mother Nature has been able to give as well as enrich your knowledge of the past of this beautiful land.

Its story is long and full of happy endings and tragedies. It was the first Greek city to defeat the second dominion of the Ottoman Empire, the first capital of modern Greece until 1834 when it ceded the honor to Athens, the place where the first Greek president was killed and where the first parliament was based.

An excellent base for exploring the Peloponnese, Nafplio is a town with a pleasant pedestrian street full of cafés, typical taverns and souvenir shops. With a Venetian style that blends perfectly with oriental and typically Greek touches, it has an interesting historic center made up of neoclassical buildings, fishermen's houses and many green areas. Its cobbled streets and steep stairs in the old city invite endless walks to get lost in hidden and picturesque corners. The atmosphere you breathe is almost bohemian, then brutally transitioning to Greek but without losing its charm.

Worth visiting is Psaromachalas, the first inhabited area, originally a fishermen's neighborhood created outside the defensive walls. Once with humble homes of men who faced the sea to support themselves, today transformed into sophisticated and romantic holiday accommodation, making it a residential area.

Syntagma Square right in the center of the city and main square, as well as the nerve center of Nafplio, always packed with people at any time of day and evening. Elegant neoclassical style buildings converted into museums or administrative headquarters. The street that crosses the city Megalos Dromos or Great Road is a commercial artery where you can find the perfect souvenir, or stop for a coffee break or to eat something in one of its many traditional restaurants or those dedicated to more modern cuisine.

Also in the center you can go to the Palamidi Fort of Venetian origin, a majestic fortress built 216 meters above sea level with mighty walls surrounding the slopes of the Acronauplia hill. Eight bastions that take their name from Greek mythology including, Achilles, Leonidas and Epaminondas like the same name Palamedes hero who fought in the Trojan War. Its dating dates back to between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries by the Venetians who wanted it to defend the city which however fell under Ottoman rule until the independence of Greece. From above you will be able to enjoy a 360 degree panorama over the whole of Naplio but it will be a real undertaking given the more than eight hundred steep steps all under the sun to climb to reach the summit. The lazy ones will still be able to benefit from the view by arriving there by bus or taxi.

Bourzi Castle right on top of an uninhabited islet in front of the city center is another attraction not to be missed. Arranged on three levels connected to each other by stairways, it is visible from any point of the city and its shape which resembles a boat is made specifically to adapt to the shape of the island that hosts it. At night it is completely illuminated and makes the landscape romantic. It dates back to the 1400s and over time as a defensive fortification it was also used as a prison, barracks and hotel.

And again the Acronafplia the oldest fortress of Nafplio right on the peninsula of the same name overlooking the sea where the old city once stood. Right in front of the Bourtzi castle and below the Palamiti castle it has a northern access to the Arvaniatian archaeological site and the tower of the Toron castle.

It dates back to the 4th century BC when the first fortified settlement was built which in Roman times was moved south with the construction of a semicircular tower which served as the main gate to the city. The Venetians were undisputed masters from 1389 until 1540, creating a third castle, Castello di Toro. Given its location to the west and the ease of reaching it with a nice walk without struggling too much, it is an excellent point from which to admire the sunset.

The succession of cultures in this part of Greece can be admired in Nauplia in the old Trianon Mosque, one of the few buildings still preserved from the Ottoman period. In 1600 the Venetians converted it into a church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua but with the second Turkish wave, it became a mosque again. With a rectangular plan, it is surmounted by an octagonal dome and the facade has three doors surmounted by arches.

The most important church in Nafplio is the Church of Agios Spyridona in the center of the town. Built in the 18th century, its interior preserves traditional icons and paintings. Right here the assassination of the first Greek president Ioannis Kapodistrias took place on 27 September 1831, whose organs are buried under the altar.

The first Greek parliament, the Vouleftiko, is another wonder waiting to be discovered. An 18th century building was also originally a mosque financed by a rich Turk who wanted to rehabilitate himself from a crime committed during his life. It then became the seat of the tribunal where two fundamental leaders of the Greek revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Dimitris Plapoutas, were tried.

For a bit of history there is the Komboloi Museum dedicated to a very ancient and deep-rooted Greek tradition. Komboloi are the pearl necklaces that Greek males hold in their hands as anti-stress. In reality they were the accessories of the more noble social classes but over time they became the domain of everyone so much so that the rich began to despise them and no longer use them, thus becoming objects for the people. You can also admire pieces made with precious stones in the museum, real works of art. Nauplia is full of interesting museums such as the Folklore Museum full of accessories of typical local craftsmanship, the War Museum dedicated to the battles fought in the area, the National Gallery inside an elegant neoclassical villa with a permanent collection of paintings, the Archaeological Museum in former Venetian arsenal with finds from the entire Argolis region.

Even in the surrounding area you will certainly not have time to get bored, why miss a visit to the ancient Theater of Epidaurus, magnificently preserved and where spectacular events are still organized today. Originally it was part of a sanctuary dedicated to the god Asclepius, the god of medicine and perhaps for this reason it has this fascinating and mystical aspect. Its acoustics are perfect.

And again the archaeological site of Trintio, six kilometers from Nauplia where the first inhabited settlement arose. Or the mythical Mycenae, one of the most famous polis in all of Greece, the cradle of civilization which took its name from her, where you can see the mighty and enigmatic Lions Gate. If you want and have a rental vehicle you can also go as far as Sparta and Mystras, two other undisputed beauties of the Peloponnese or even towards the Nemean Valley famous for its vines where you can taste divine nectars.

But let's get to the beaches because Nauplia also offers coastlines where you can cool off or spend lazy days. That town Arvanitias beach is in a small bay with a pebble shoreline. Equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and services, it is undoubtedly convenient if one day you don't feel like walking around the city or in some other exciting place that surrounds it. Even Neraki beach just after a dirt road above the Arvanitias car park could be an idea for a few hours dedicated to the sun, a small cove with a wonderful sea. With a walk of over half an hour you reach Karathonas beach, a coastline of golden sand with tamarisk trees that surround it and provide shade during the hottest hours. It is equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, bars and restaurants. However, one of the most famous and popular is Psili Ammos beach, about ten kilometers from Nafplio. With a circular shape, it features fine sand and dunes drawn by the wind, vegetation that punctuates the landscape with deserted islands such as Romvi and Koronissi on the horizon, an almost surreal scenario. Here you will find luxurious resorts and all the comforts for a day at the beach. It is much loved by families as in addition to having blue and transparent waters, the seabed descends slowly and is therefore perfect for the little ones.

Very simple, you have several possibilities. For those who love independence, the car is undoubtedly ideal. You can reach this part of the Peloponnese from anywhere, whether you decide to arrive in Greece by ferry or by plane.

For those who don't want to get behind the wheel, know that there are daily buses from the main towns, sometimes with multiple trips during the day.

To conclude we can say that Nauplia and all its attractions is undoubtedly a destination worth including for a holiday in Greece, looking for new places with lots of things to see and do but above all still outside the barbaric mass tourism.