One of the most beautiful towns in the Peloponnese, as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece, Nafplion bears the mark of Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors who strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions during the centuries. Situated on the Argolic Gulf in the northeast Peloponnese, the lovely seaside town is full of history…

In mythology

According to mythology, Nafplion was founded by Nafplios, son of the god Poseidon and Anemone, daughter of Danaida. The town is mentioned in the expedition of the Argonauts and the Trojan War. During Roman Times it fell into declined but flourished again during the Byzantium.

Medieval Old Town

Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors have left their mark on the town and have influenced its culture, architect and traditions. Cobblestone alleyways are flanked with well-preserved neoclassical mansions and Turkish fountains.

Constitution Square

Syntagma (Constitution) Square, in the heart of the city, is known for its historic buildings and monuments, with a number of reminders of the role that the city played during the Greek War of Independence when Nafplio was a major Ottoman strongold, besieged for a year by Theodoros Kolokotronis. After its capture, Nafplio became the seat of the provisional government of Greece and the official capital of Greece in 1828.

Saint Spyridon Church

Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, was assasinated outside Saint Spyridon Church in 1831. A period of anarchy followed until the arrival of King Otto. Nafplio remained the capital of Greece, until its monarch, King Otto, moved the capital to Athens.

Saint George Church

The cathedral was built when Nafplio was under Venetial rule. Visitors can admire the murals, such as the copy of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Secret Dinner”. Inside, visitors can also see King Otto’s purple throne.

Archaeological Museum

Many important artifacts from the Prehistoric and Myceneaan era are housed here.

Palamidi Castle

Standing 216-meters above sea level, it is worth the 999 steps to enjoy the rewarding view. Built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686-1715) it is very large and imposing structure. The baroque fortress was based on the plans of engineers Giaxich and Lasalle. In 1715 it was captured by the Ottomans and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks during the War of Independence.

Bourtzi

The Venetian fortress, built on the rocky islet of Agioi Theodoroi, was completed in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders by sea. The Greeks regained it from the Turks on June 18, 1822. Until 1865 it served as a fortress. It was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle of Palamidi. From 1930 to 1970, it served as a hotel. Since then, it is mainly a tourist attraction hosting occasionally parts of the Summer Music Festival.

Lion of Bavaria

The Lion of Bavaria, an exquisitely sculptured monument dates from 1841. Sculpted by German Kristian Ziegal, the large-scale monument was commissioned by Ludwig, father of the first king of Greece, Otto of Bavaria, in memory of the soldiers who had died of a typhus epidemic in Nafplio in the years 1833-1834.

Komboloi (Worry Bead) Museum 

The Komboloi museum at the old city of Nafplio is housed in a privately-owned two-storey building, located at 25 Staikopoulou Street. The exhibition halls are situated on the upper floor and the museum workshop is on the ground floor. The purpose of the workshop, the “heart” of the museum, is to conserve the old strings of beads and also produce exact replicas of them using hand-made beads manufactured in privately-owned workshops in the East. The conservation of old strings of beads which are family heirloom is free of charge. You can find all the strings of beads produced in the Museum workshop in the Selling shop of the Museum, which is also situated on the ground floor.

Useful phone numbers

Town Hall – 27520 23766
Tourist Information Office – 27520 24444
Police Headquarters – 27520 21536
Tourist Police – 27520 28131
Fire Brigade – 27520 27222
Port Police – 27520 27022
Customs – 27520 27401
Post Office – 27520 24230
Nafplio General Hospital – 27520 27309
Bus Station – 27520 27323
Railway Station – 27520 26400
War Museum – 27520 25591
Folk Museum – 27520 28379
Archaelogical Museum – 27520 27502