Top Things to See in Nafplio, Greece

Top Things to See in Nafplio, Greece

Welcome to Travel with Sha. I’m Sean. Today we’re in Napalio, Greece, which is the first capital of the country. Join me as we explore some fortresses and take a look around the old town. Navlio is located south of Corinth along the Argolic Gulf which is part of the Aian Sea. It’s a popular destination for people wanting to explore its three fortresses. Acronaflia overlooking old town, Bhortsi on an island in the harbor and Palamidi on the highest point around. Built by the Venetians in 1473, Bertsy guarded Naflio’s harbor from seaborn attacks, its cannons once forming the town’s first line of defense. Erected by the Venetians in 1708, this is the land gate leading into Oldtown Naflio. The plaque installed in 1778 commemorates their victory over the Ottoman Turks and praises the commanding officer of that battle. All right, I’m going to sum up for you about 5,000 years of political history of the town of Naflio. Here we go. Naflio started as a coastal outpost for the Masonian kingdom in the 14th century BC. After the collapse of the Masonians in 1100 BC, the town continued to be a small port for various Greek kingdoms until being conquered by the Persians. The Macedonians under Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, conquered the town near the end of the 4th century BC. Within about 200 years, the Romans ruled the land. When the Holy Roman Empire split, this fell under the Byzantine Empire. After the fourth crusade in 1204, it became part of the Frankish or French principality of Aaya. Starting in the 14th century AD, the Venetians ruled for about 150 years before losing it to the Ottoman Turks. The Venetians regained control about 150 years later in 1686. This time they ruled for about 30 years before losing it to the Ottoman Empire yet again. Naflio was liberated in 1822 by Greek revolutionaries and became the de facto capital of an independent Greece. Naflio became the official capital of the Hellenic Republic as Greece was then called 5 years later. And there you have it. 5,000 years of political history, starting with the Masonian kingdom in the 14th century BC and ending with independence in 1832. Before joining the proomenade, I passed this quiet stretch of rocky shoreline as the cliffs of Acronafia loom above. The Arvanitia prominade is a scenic coastal path that stretches approximately 2/3 of a mile connecting the port with Arvanitia beach. The proomenade levels out, tracing the curve of the cliff just above the water. Behind me, the fortress of Palamiti rises over the town. A silent watchtower of stone. [Music] Ahead, a limestone arch frames the [Music] way. Passing through it feels like stepping into another scene entirely, where the fortress looms above and the waves continue their endless rhythm below. It’s a moment of quiet beauty tucked between history and [Music] sea. Beyond the arch, the prominade leads me to the edge of the seapport. Perched above the harbor, Castello Dtoro stands as a symbol of Naflio’s rich history. It was built by the Venetians in the 15th century to strengthen their defenses. And the lion of St. Mark represents Venice. As we look back, we see a full sweep of the fortress. Once the ancient Acropolis, later shaped by Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans alike, now a reminder of this town’s rich history. Across the Lalaan Square, the view turns to Palamidi, high on its ridge, where Napio’s story merges with Greece’s struggle for independence. Starting at the land gate, an historic entrance into Naflio, we turn our gaze up to Acronaflia, the birthplace of the town’s history. From the land gate, the path to Acronia is a gradual incline, offering a nice leisurely walk. Good exercise. While walking up, be sure to take in the scenic views of Napolio’s old town and harbor, a place where history has unfolded for centuries. We can now begin to see the fortifications built nearly 600 years ago. A powerful reminder of Acronia’s historic role in the town’s defense. Here I pause to take in the history of Acronia, a site that has witnessed the rise and fall of empires since the 4th century BC. This tunnel is believed to have been the main entrance to the fortress long ago. Its placement along the cliff made it easily defensible and visually commanding. [Music] From here we can look down at the coastline, miles out to sea and down the peninsula. A view that would have offered both beauty and defense long ago. These perimeter walls were built by the Venetians in the 15th century designed to protect Naflio and control access to the sea. From here we can see Palamedi fortress rising above the town. Another testament to Venetian military engineering. Near the summit is the old Capodistrius hospital, now abandoned, but once part of the early infrastructure of the modern Greek state under its governor. Next to old Capedistrias Hospital stands a modest theater likely used for gatherings, announcements or performances for the soldiers and staff during Greece’s early years of independence. [Music] Looking through this window in the wall, we can see for miles and we’re treated to a stunning view of Oldtown and the port. This church built in the 1830s was likely constructed to serve as the chapel for the nearby Cape Distrias Military Hospital which was established around the same time. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of doctors and healers. A fitting tribute for a hospital that served the needs of Greeks early military forces. This window offers a clearer view of Napolio’s harbor, a vital link to the sea that shaped the city’s fortunes so very long ago. Making my way through Acronia, I follow a path toward one of the most distinctive remnants of Venetian military engineering, the Traverse Gambelloo, a defensive wall the Venetians built around 1500 to divide and protect the upper citadel from the lower town. With a curious mind and a passion for history, it’s no wonder that I had to take a closer look. This arched gateway marked the edge of the Traverse Gambllo, the 500year-old defensive wall. [Music] Passing through, I enter a small outer courtyard, likely part of the layered defenses designed to slow attackers and protect the inner stronghold. The gates lion emblem still asserts Venice’s former presence carved in stone as both a symbol and a warning. Up ahead, another gate continues a defensive line. And through the gate, a bell tower rises across the parking lot. A quiet marker of faith set against the backdrop of old defenses. We see the bell tower across the way built in the 19th century. Standing quietly on the ridge above Naplio. This bell tower was a 19th century gift from King Ludvig I of Bavaria, father of Greece’s first modern [Music] king. Rising above Naplio, the clock tower was also a gift from King Ludvig I of Bavaria. A lasting tribute from a distant ally. One famous place to see Naflio is Palamidi Castle, but you see it’s way up on top of the hill. So there are several steps to get to it. The locals say it’s a th00and. What I’ve read online is 999. Some people say it’s closer to 850. No matter what, it’s going to be quite a hike. I’m going to give it a try. I hope you’re rooting for me. Here we go. [Music] As I climb these steep steps, it’s hard to imagine soldiers climbing them while wearing heavy armor and carrying weapons, perhaps in the heat of battle. Maybe even under fire. Step by step, we climb towards Palmdi Fortress, one of the most formidable strongholds in Greece. Built by the Venetians between 1711 and 1714. It was a lastditch effort to defend Naflio from the advancing Ottomans. The entire complex was completed in just three years. A remarkable feat of military engineering. The fortress was captured by the Ottomans only a year later. Climbing the steps to the Bastion of Robert, we follow a path once used by Venetian soldiers. Named for a French engineer who shaped Palamedes defenses. This bastion stood watch over Naplio. Just below it, the view stretches wide. Land and sea unfolding as they did long ago. With 1,000 steep steps to get to the top, I took as many breaks as I could along the way. Self-care is important. Palamidi fortress played a pivotal role in the Greek war of independence. Its strategic location gave the Ottoman Turks control over Naflio, a key port city. But in 1822, 350 Greek revolutionaries seized the fortress, forcing the Turkish garrison to surrender. This was a major turning point in the fight for Greek independence and the fortress became a symbol of resistance. This was crucial in the battle to free Greece from centuries of Turkish rule. The fortress now stands as a lasting monument to the struggles and triumph of the Greek people. The bastion of IOS Andreas is at the top of the stairs. IOS Andreas is the Greek name for St. Andrew. And the bastion got its name because during the Greek War of Independence, the fortress was captured on November 30, St. Andrews Day. The ticket office is just to our left. But wow, just look at the view from here. Isn’t it gorgeous? Well, I made it to the top of the hill, the Palamini Castle. It was quite a climb, but it was well worth it because man, look at this view. This is beautiful. Not just the old town, but the bay, the castle out in the middle of the water, the castle on the point, the cliffs is just such a beautiful view. But now we also need to explore the castle. To our left is the bastion of Miltiadis, named after an ancient Athenian general. From the courtyard, we also see several recessed chambers lining the walls. These had multiple roles. Some were used as sleeping rooms for the soldiers stationed here. Some were used for storage, perhaps supplies such as food, ammunition, and gunpowder. But they were also used as holding cells for prisoners. [Music] Now, these look too big to have been used as jail cells. So they were likely used as barracks rooms for the soldiers. [Music] We can see at least a couple of them have been converted for modern usage. The room at the end leads to the prison cell that held Theodoros Koloronis, one of the most prominent leaders of the Greek War of Independence. Keep in mind, this wasn’t his prison. This was how you access the door leading to his prison. Though he had fought to liberate the nation, Kcatronis was accused of treason and sentenced to death because of his opposition to the foreign king. His sentence was later reduced and he was eventually pardoned, but his imprisonment marked a deep divide in the early years of the modern Greek state. The door to the prison cell is far too small for me, but my wife, being of small stature, can make it in. His prison cell was a small grim stone chamber located deep inside the bastion of Miltades inside the fortress walls. [Music] Walking through the stone passageway inside the walls, my wife comes to yet another doorway and then just beyond it is a drop of a few feet. This was Calcatronis’s prison cell. It would have been completely dark with the doors shut. The small bare stone chamber where he was held remains a powerful symbol, not just of the sacrifices made for freedom, but of the political struggles that followed it. I guess you could say the nation of Greece got off to a rocky start. The bastion of Fionus was named after Fukion who like Miltiades was an Athenian general in the 4th century BC. [Music] Walking back down these worn stone steps, it’s not hard to reflect on everything held within these walls. Palamidi isn’t just a fortress. It’s a place where freedom was defended, heroes were imprisoned, and history left its mark in silence and stones. The views may impress, but it’s the stories of struggle, betrayal, and resilience that stay with you after you leave. Well, this ends our tour of Naplio. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I did. I always appreciate your support. Until next time, bye-bye.

Discover the best things to see in Nafplio, Greece, a stunning coastal town rich in history and beauty. In this video, we walk the Arvanitia Promenade, climb the 999 steps to Palamidi Fortress, and uncover stories of origins, Venetian engineering, and Greece’s hard-won independence. From hidden courtyards to sweeping sea views, Nafplio reveals its layered past in every stone and step. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious, this guide captures the town’s timeless charm.

Check out my playlist for even more fantastic videos from around Greece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDDp8-cvVpQ&list=PLqzckMqDhaPMPHYpLn3YBHzAzRY0zZsDg

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