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Nafplion, on the Peloponnese in Greece, is a seaport town that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf (Argolikos Bay). The town was the capital of Greece from 1829 to 1834, and is where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of the modern Greek state, was assassinated.

Nafplion is the capital of the prefecture of Argolis and the province of Nafplion.

As is the case with many Greek names, there is more than one possible translation of the name of the town. Currently, the most commonly used English spelling is Nafplion (or sometimes Nafplio like the Modern Greek way of saying it).

Many sources, especially those dealing with the ancient city, refer to it by its Latin name of Nauplion. In other languages it is known variously as Nauplia, Navplion, Nauplio, Nafplion and Anapli ; these names would have been current in English during the periods of Venetian and Ottoman domination. In Italian, Nafplion is known as Napoli di Romania, the last two words referring to the ancient name ("Romania") formerly used to define those territories inhabited by adherents to the Greek Orthodox faith, and serving to distinguish the town from the other Napoli (i.e. Naples) in Italy.

Nafplion is situated on the Argolic Gulf in the northeast Peloponnese. Most of the old town is on a peninsula jutting into the gulf; this peninsula forms a naturally protected bay that is enhanced by the addition of man-made moles.

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HISTORY OF NAFPLION

The area surrounding Nafplion has been inhabited since ancient times though little sign of this remains within the town. The town has been a stronghold at several times in history.

Byzantine/Venetian Era:

The first of the visible fortification, on the Akronafplia, was built by the Byzantines. It was subsequently occupied by the French crusaders of the Principality of Achaea, then in 1377 the Venetians arrived and built the Castle of Bourtzi in the 15th century. Shortly after, the city, along with the rest of the Morea, was captured by the Ottomans. The Venetians returned in 1685, and strengthened the city by building the castle of Palamidi, which was in fact the last major construction of the Venetian empire overseas.

Greek War of Independence:

During the Greek War of Independence, Nafplion was a major Ottoman stronghold and was besieged for a whole year by Theodoros Kolokotronis. After its capture, because of its strong fortifications, it became the seat of the provisional governments of Greece, and Kapodistrias made it the official capital of Greece in 1829. After his assassination there in 1831 a period of anarchy followed, until the arrival of King Otto and the establishment of the new Kingdom of Greece. Nafplion remained the capital of the kingdom until 1834, when King Otto decided to move the capital to Athens.

Tourism emerged slowly in the 1960s, but not to the same degree as around other ares of Greece; nevertheless, it tends to attact a number of tourists from Germany and the Scandinavian countries in particular. Nafplion enjoys a very sunny and mild climate, even by Greek standards, and as a consequence has become a popular day- or weekend road trip destination for Athenians in wintertime.

Modern Era:

Nafplion is a port, with fishing and transport ongoing, although the primary source of local employment currently is tourism, with two beaches on the other side of the peninsula from the main body of the town and a large amount of local accommodation. There is now a railway station with daily trains from/to Athens (OSE).

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BOURTZI OF NAFPLION

The castle of Bourtzi is located in the middle of the harbour of Nafplio. The Venetians completed its fortification in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. The Greeks regained it from the Turks on June 18, 1822, from where they assisted in the siege of Nafplio. Until 1865 it served as a fortress. It was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle Palamidi.

From 1930 to 1970 served as a hotel. Since then it is mainly a tourist attraction hosting occasionally parts of the Summer Music Festival.

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AKRONAFPLIA

Akronafplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplio. Until the 13th century, it was a town on its own. The arrival of the Venetians and the Franks transformed it into part of the town fortifications. Later, part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the local tourism and built a hotel complex which still stands there today.

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PALAMIDI FORTRESS

The castle of Palamidi lies on a high hill to the east of Akronafplia. It was first fortified by the Venetians during the second Venetian occupation of the area (1686-1715). It was an incredibly large project and was finished within a relatively short time (1711-1714). 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.

In addition it is also the location of the prison of Kolokotronis. One of the bastions, the so-called "Miltiades" was used as the prison cell of Theodoros Kolokotronis, a hero of the Greek Revolution. The bastions themselves were originally named after the Greek Proveditori. However, when the Ottoman Empire came around, they captured the castle and town, the bastions were given Turkish names. Lastly, when the Greeks finally overthrew the Turks the bastions were given the names of Greek saints.

Additionally, there are 857 stairs from the base of the fortress to the top. It is a trivia question Greeks like to spring on foreign tourists.

From Wikipedia, the Fre Encyclopedia

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