Nafplio Things to Do Tips by amsterdam_vallon

Archaeological Museum of Nauplion

The Archaeological Museum of Nauplion was erected in 1713, by the Venetian Providor Sagredos, during the second Venetian occupation of the area, in order to become the arsenal of the Venetian fleet. The exhibition is housed on the first and second floors while the ground floor is occupied by the offices of the 4th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. In the future, the offices will be tranferred to another building in the vicinity, and the ground floor of the museum will house temporary exhibitions organized by the Ephorate.

The museum contains collections of :

- Palaeolithic and Mesolithic finds (up to 8000 B.C.) from the Caves of Franchthi and Kephalari,
- Neolithic finds from Kephalari, Dendra and Nauplia (6000-2800 B.C.),
- Early Helladic finds from Asine, Tiryns and Berbati (2800-2000 B.C.),
- Middle Helladic finds from Asine and Berbati (2000-1600 B.C.),
- Late Helladic (Mycenaean) finds from Asine, Berbati, Dendra, Kazarma, Midea,
Nauplia and Tiryns (1600-1100 B.C.),
- Geometric finds from Asine, Nauplia, Tiryns and private colections (1100-700 B.C.),
- Archaic finds from Tiryns, Myloi and Corinthia (700-480 B.C.),
- Classical finds from Tiryns, Halieis, and private collections (480-323 B.C.),
- Hellenistic finds from Asine and Mycenae (323 - 146 B.C.),
and Roman finds from Mycenae (up to ca. 500 A.D.)

Due to the completion of the labors concerning building improuvements of the Archaeological Museum of Nauplion, the Museum will be closed from the 1st of November 2003, till further notice.

Directions: Right in the Constitution (Syntagma) Square

Constitution or Syntagma Square

The main platia called Syntagma (Constitution) Square, is paved in marble and is surrounded by historical buildings including a Turkish mosque, cafes, shops, a bank and a hotel.

At the back of the picture, you can see the old Turkish Mosque, it's now a cinema.

Directions: In the middle of the Old town

The Acronauplia

This is the ancient name with which, along with the Turkish one Itch-Kale, the acropolis of Nauplion is known. Under?neath the venetian wal1s there are traces of cyclopean or pelasgic walls, a sign of the existence of a prehistoric settlement at Nau???i?n. The way the stones have been cut shows that these walls are later than the cor?responding ones of Tiryns and Mycenae.

Until the time of the occupation of the city by the venetians the Acronauplia had two castles. The one on the East or French one, from Villehardouin's time and the one on the West, the Greek one. On the east side of the Acronauplia there lived the offi?cials and on the west side the Greek chief?citizens. When Nauplion came into Vene?tian hands (1389), the Venetians added a bastion to the eastern castle, right across Palamidi, opening thus a way to today's Arvanitia. Besides, they built on the north? west side of the city, below the Acronau?plia, Toro's castle. On this bastion they pla?ced five guns of the same size, called the Five Brothers. The name of this area has been preserved until today.

The Bourtzi

Out on an islet in the bay is a small fortress known as the Bourtzi which was built in the 15th century at the time of the Venetian occupation. Because of the shallow waters here there was only one navigable channel into Nafplio and the Bourtzi guards could block this by stinging chains across from the islet to the town.

It was once the home of the towns executioner, it was once a hotel but now it stands empty but very picturesque.

Directions: In the Argolis Bay

The Palamidi Fortress

The castle of Palamidi lies on a high hill (216m. a.s.l.) to the east of Acronauplia which was first fortified by the Venetians during the second Venetian occupation of the area (1686-1715). It is a typical baroque fortress, based on the plans of the engineers Giaxich and Lasalle. In 1715 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was liberated by the Greeks.

Full admission: 4 euros
Reduced admission
(students from countries outside the E.U., citizens of the E.U. aged over 65) : 2 euros

Summer opening hours:
Daily: 08.00-19.00