The historic, beautifully sited town of Náfplio takes its name from Náfplios, son of Poseidon, and was the first capital of modern Greece. A powerful naval state during the Mycenaean age, it was conquered in turn by Byzantines, Venetians, Franks and Turks. Náfplio expands between the twin fortresses of Palamídhi and Akronafplía on the headland. There is ample pleasure in wandering along the cobbled narrow streets lined with Neoclassical buildings.
The Palamídhi, Náfplio’s principal fort, Boúrtzi, the third fort occupying the Ayíou Theodórou islet offshore from the harbour, and the church of Áyios Spyrídon, where the first prime minister, Ioánnis Kapodhístrias was assassinated, are of special interest. Platía Syndágmatos (Constitution Square), the main square of the old town, is the focus of most interest. Then there is the Archaeological Museum that occupies a Venetian mansion.
Tiryns (Tírynthos) (80km). The undeniably impressive fortress is over three thousand years old, and the site itself has been occupied for four thousand years before that. The walls formed of huge Cyclopean stones dominate the site. The German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered Tíryns in 1884.
Árgos (8km). The oldest inhabited town in Greece (c.5000 years) is a must for visitors. The theatre is said to have held 20,000 spectators. Alongside are the remains of an odeion and Roman baths. Above the site looms the ancient acropolis, on the conical hill of Lárissa capped by the Frankish medieval castle. In nearby Kefalári is the convent of Zoödhóhou Piyís hewn from rock.
Mycenae (22km). The region is one of the longest occupied in Greece, with evidence of Neolithic settlements from 3000 BC. But it is during the period from 1550 to 1200 BC that the citadel of Mycenae and its legend belong. Make sure you visit the famous Lion Gate, the Treasury of Atreus or (as officially called) Tomb of Agamemnon, with its startling tholos. The archaeological remains unearthed by Schliemann were impelled by his belief that there was a factual basis to Homer’s epics.
Epidaurus (30km). Visited for its grandiose ancient theatre with a seating capacity of 13,000, built around 330-320 BC. Its extraordinary acoustics have contributed to holding the annual Athens Festival productions of Classical drama.
Visit Amalia Nafplio Hotel: www.amaliahotelnafplio.gr
The Palamídhi, Náfplio’s principal fort, Boúrtzi, the third fort occupying the Ayíou Theodórou islet offshore from the harbour, and the church of Áyios Spyrídon, where the first prime minister, Ioánnis Kapodhístrias was assassinated, are of special interest. Platía Syndágmatos (Constitution Square), the main square of the old town, is the focus of most interest. Then there is the Archaeological Museum that occupies a Venetian mansion.
Tiryns (Tírynthos) (80km). The undeniably impressive fortress is over three thousand years old, and the site itself has been occupied for four thousand years before that. The walls formed of huge Cyclopean stones dominate the site. The German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered Tíryns in 1884.
Árgos (8km). The oldest inhabited town in Greece (c.5000 years) is a must for visitors. The theatre is said to have held 20,000 spectators. Alongside are the remains of an odeion and Roman baths. Above the site looms the ancient acropolis, on the conical hill of Lárissa capped by the Frankish medieval castle. In nearby Kefalári is the convent of Zoödhóhou Piyís hewn from rock.
Mycenae (22km). The region is one of the longest occupied in Greece, with evidence of Neolithic settlements from 3000 BC. But it is during the period from 1550 to 1200 BC that the citadel of Mycenae and its legend belong. Make sure you visit the famous Lion Gate, the Treasury of Atreus or (as officially called) Tomb of Agamemnon, with its startling tholos. The archaeological remains unearthed by Schliemann were impelled by his belief that there was a factual basis to Homer’s epics.
Epidaurus (30km). Visited for its grandiose ancient theatre with a seating capacity of 13,000, built around 330-320 BC. Its extraordinary acoustics have contributed to holding the annual Athens Festival productions of Classical drama.
Visit Amalia Nafplio Hotel: www.amaliahotelnafplio.gr