Historical background

The low hill of Tirynth, in the 8th kilometer of road Argos-Nafplio, was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic Age to Late Antiquity. In prehistoric times, the area flourished mainly during the early and late Bronze Age.

In the second phase of the EH era (2700-2200 BC) a major centre with dense population and a unique construction circular building, 27 meters in diameter, must have been here on top of the hill.

During the Late Bronze Age, Tiryns fortified hill gradually and surrounds within the “Cyclopean” walls of the palace complex and other buildings used primarily by the ruling class as places of worship, warehouses and workshops as well as residences. In historical times, Tiryns, although it should have been in the form of an organized political community, could not compete with Argos, which destroyed it, in the first half of the 5th century, exiling its inhabitants.

Pausanias, who visited Tiryns the 2nd century AD, found it deserted. During the Byzantine era in Upper Acropolis a funerary temple was founded and possibly a small class settlement in the west of the Acropolis. The end of the small longer settlement must be connected with the conquest of Argos from the Turks in 1379 AD. In Venetian sources, Tirynth was referred to as Napoli vecchio, while the name Tirynth was given again in the modern era replacing the usual name “Paleocastro.(old castle)”.

The investigations of the German Archaeological Institute and the Greek Archaeological Service from 1876 to present times, have unearthed major Mycenaean citadels, tracking stages of the culture of prehistoric and historic periods of Argolida prefecture. After the pioneers Heinrich Schliemann and Wilhelm Dorpfeld (1884-1885), the area was investigated in the first half of the twentieth century, by Georg Karo and Kurt Müller.

In the late 1950s, the Curator of Antiquities of Argolidos, Verdelis Nikolaos, undertook the restoration project on the west side of the fortifications which had collapsed and covered by the debris of old excavations. After 1967, the excavations conferred again in German Archaeological Institute, under the supervision of Ulf Jantzen, Jörg Schofer, Klaus Kilian and Joseph Maran continual research, including the Lower Citadel and the Lower City. At the same time, excavations are undertaken by the local Conservation Unity of Antiquity both at visited archaeological sites and regions.

The discovery of the excavations of a monument protected for centuries under the soil and long-term exposure without maintenance care to weather conditions and the actions of visitors caused significant damage to the archaeological site.

Through actions of D Conservation Unit of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquity Items, competent service of the Ministry of Culture and the direct support of the Peloponnesian Region, the monument were included in projects funded by the Second and Third Community Support Framework.

The Monuments of Area

Western Bastion

The Western Bastion is an outstanding achievement of Mycenaean architecture with a clear defensive character. The western staircase is protected by a bastion creating a sickle extension of the wall of the third phase. This section of the wall is the only one with curved outline. The maximum width is 7 m the curved section of the wall begins in the south at the height of the large yard and ends at the north tower which existed already in the second phase of the wall.

Lower Acropolis

On the north and lowest elevation of the hill of Tirynth, the Lower Acropolis was fortified for the first time in the early 13th century BC (HR IIIV1). The fortification was replaced in the third phase of construction of the wall in the 13th century (Late Helladic IIIB2) by a strong wall thickness up to 7 m below the natural contours of the hill and extending south to the intersection with the fortification of the Middle and Upper Acropolis.

The Lower Acropolis connected through northern extension of the runway (50) with the Upper Citadel, but it also has two of its own access. A small entrance at the bend of the western side of the wall between the middle and lower citadel which was closed with a gate as traces of the hinges on the monolith threshold evidenced, and an opening in the top of the north wall untracked for a door. This opening is protected by a guardhouse on the eastern side of the wall which was much higher than the external level and the access to it must have been made possible with portable wooden scale. On the contrary, the entrance on the west side leads to an open stone staircase.

In the second half of the 13th century BC (Late Helladic IIIB2) after the completion of the fortifications, a huge construction activity grows, destroying the interference of the remains of earlier Mycenaean periods and Middle Helladic. The lower acropolis is formed into terraces and is built with a single plan. The buildings lined up along the walls are separated from the open walkways running north-south. A main road leads from the north gate to the south of Lower Acropolis and is associated with the runway (50) leading to the Upper Citadel.

Overall, ten building complexes were investigated (buildings I-X), which served as homes and also as laboratory facilities for the processing of metals and precious materials. Similar use is witnessed for rooms inside the wall.

Geometric Church

East of the gate that connects the courtyard 30 with the courtyard of the building 29 of the east wing of the palace, a pit – depositor was investigated in 1926, the so-called cesspit, which contained mainly pottery and a few metal objects. The oldest finds date back to the Late Geometric period and the newer around 650 BC, despite the fact that the majority of the offerings belong chronologically to the end of the geometric and sub-Geometric period.

The quality of the findings, include the clay shields and masks which are displayed in Museum of Nafplio, and their preservation, where most findings are crushed before disposal and bear traces of secondary combustion, arguing for its status as tributes. It is very probable that some of them were hung in a sacred space while others served for rituals probably at an altar space. The finding of the cesspit was associated for these reasons with the retrofit of the altar at the high court and with the elongated building that covers the eastern part of the great palace of the Mycenaean era.

So, it was considered that this building was a temple of the Geometric period, established at the Mycenaean Palace where people worshipped the goddess Hera. Unfortunately, the full revelation of this building ever since Schliemann period has deprived research from valuable archaeological evidence that could give a definitive answer to the still open question of the use and the dating of the building.

Dr. Alkistis Papadimitriou
Head of D Conservation Unity of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquitiy

More information about the archaeological site of Tiryns can be found on website of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism ODYSSEUS

Geographical Coordinates

Tiryns, Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.60030833265785, 22.80133317136363
• 2752022657

For more information: EFA. Argolida, Syntagma Square, Tel: +30 27520 22657, e-mail: [email protected]

The fort of the Palamidi, which has been preserved in excellent condition, is one of the greatest achievements of Venetian fortification architecture.

The hill of Palamidi, which takes its name from the Homeric hero Palamidis, does not seem to have been systematically fortified until the second Venetian occupation. The construction of the fort was basically carried out during the time of Venetian General Superintendent of the Fleet, Agostino Sagredo, from 1711 to 1714, marking the fort not only as a major feat in terms of its fortifications, but also in terms of the speed with which it was constructed.

The engineers Giaxich and Lasalle designed a fort that was based on a system of mutually supporting and mutually defending bastions, which are built one above the other on a east-west axis, and are connected to each other by a wall. The total of eight bastions are self contained so that if one of them was breached, the rest could continue their defence.

The central bastion of Aghios Andreas was the main headquarters and was the best equipped. The chapel of Aghios Andreas is located here. It was originally consecrated to St Gerardo, the patron saint of the Sagredo family. It should be noted that the names of the bastions changed according to the occupants of the fort. Apart from the bastion of Aghios Andreas, the Venetians also built: the bastions of Leonidas and Miltiadis to the north, Robert to the northwest, Themistocles to the south and Achilles to the east. The bastion of Epameinondas was completed during the time of the Turkish occupation, while Fokion was built entirely by the Turks. It should be noted that during the time of the Turkish occupation, Christians were not allowed to enter the fort.

Not only was the Palamidi a great fortress, it was also the site of a dismal prison. In 1833, during the time of the regency, when King Otto was still a minor, one of the leaders of the revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis, was imprisoned here on the supposed charge of high treason.

The Miltiadis bastion, one of the largest, was converted into a prison for serious criminals in around 1840, and it remained in operation until around 1926. The Aghios Andreas bastion was also used as a prison, but conditions here were somewhat better.

Today, the fort can be accessed either by the road which terminates at the eastern gate or by the famous steps which are located on the western side to the east of the Grimani bastion. These steps are traditionally supposed to number 999, the thousandth having been destroyed by Kolokotronis’ horse. However, in reality there are less and they were constructed during Otto’s reign by prisoners who were held in the Palamidi, under the supervision of the Bavarian army. From here there is an excellent view of the castle of the Acronauplia.

Once in the fort one can see, among other things, the imposing bastions, the historic chapel of Aghios Andreas and the impressive water tanks, which even today are used to collect rainwater.

Geographical Coordinates

Palamidi Fortress, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.562499066684765, 22.80501074463379
• 2752028036

The renovated building in the Trion Navarchon Square, which today houses the town hall, has a long and interesting history. It is a two-floor neo-classical building, with a symmetrical façade topped by a gable.

It was built in 1857 to house Nauplion’s High School, which was founded in 1833, during the time of King Otto.

The original High School had only two floors, but a third one was added in 1893 to house the Hellenic School. Then the High School moved to the second and third floors, while the Hellenic School was housed on the ground floor.

Nauplion High School was only the second building in Greece that had been specifically built to house a public middle school: the first being in Ermoupoli in Syros. Despite this, the school building had some imperfections: it was dark and did not have good ventilation. There was also no playground, but there was a garden to the front of the building, where pupils could sit during their breaks.

The building was abandoned in 1935, when the High School moved to the newly built building located opposite in Amalias Avenue. Since then, the building has undergone several changes in usage, until 1992, when it was renovated and now houses the Town Hall.

Geographical Coordinates

Three Admirals Square, Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.5658547656677, 22.800363091239895

The Parliament building, which is located in the south-west sector of Syntagma Square, holds a special place in Greek history, as it was here that the parliament of the rebellious Greeks met.

It dates from 1730, the time of the second Turkish occupation of the city, and was originally built as a mosque. It was built in ashlar masonary and consists of a square chamber with a large dome. It is a characteristic mosque of the late Ottoman architectural period, with its heavy proportions and bulky dome. To the west there was once a domed portico, but this fell down during an earthquake at the beginning of the 20th century.

According to local tradition, this mosque was built by a rich Turkish Aga in order to redeem his soul from a heinous crime that he had committed: the Aga had killed two young Venetians who had come to Nauplion to find the treasure that their father had hidden when the city was occupied by the Venetians. The Aga found the treasure following the map that was in the possession of the two men, but he killed them in order to keep the loot for himself. Later, filled with remorse for his hideous crime, it is said that he used the gold he had stolen to build the large mosque in the square, which became known as the mosque of Aga-Pasha.

Geographical Coordinates

The Parliament Building, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.56589190083003, 22.796255346411865

The fort on the sea, which has remained known by its Turkish name ‘Bourtzi’, meaning tower, has become Nauplion’s trademark.

On this small island, which is in the middle of the city’s harbour, there was once a Byzantine church consecrated to Aghios Theodoros.

The Venetians, having understood the strategic importance of this site for the protection of the port, built a tower on the rock in 1473. The Italian architect, Antonio Gambello, who had undertaken the building of the Castello di Toro, designed the fort, which was then completed by the engineer Brancaleone.

The Turks surrounded the fort with the so-called ‘porporella’, in other words an undersea barricade of stones to make it impossible for large ships to approach.

In the 18th century the Venetians proceeded with additions to the Bourtzi. They raised the height of the central tower and almost the entire island was covered with defensive positions.

During the time of the Greek revolution, the Bourtzi was known as Casteli or Thalassopyrgos, sea tower. It was here for a short while in 1826 that the Greek government sought shelter, when the rebellious nation fell into civil strife.

The Bourtzi was active as a fort until 1865. It then became the place of residence for the executioners who carried out the death sentences on the prisoners in the Palamidi.

In 1935 it was turned into a hotel after alterations by the German architect Wulf Schaeffer. Today one can visit the Bourtzi by boat from the seafront.

Departure point (boats) for Bourji

Geographical Coordinates

Bourtzi, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.569872878302014, 22.79041320872223
• Σημείο αναχώρησης για Μπούρτζι (καραβάκια)

Little of the history of the old customs house, which is located on the coast road, is known to us. It is estimated that it was built around the middle of the 19th century by the architect Stamatios Kleanthis. He is best known for his urban plan of Athens, which he designed in cooperation with Eduard Schaubert, and his designs for various public buildings in the same city.

The façade of the Customs House is in three parts with an arcade supported on pillars, recalling the Venetian Arsenal in Syntagma Square, which seems to have been the inspiration. Generally the Customs House is simple in design, rectangular, with symmetrical entrances and windows. It creates a sense of balance and harmony, in keeping with the neo-classical movement.

Geographical Coordinates

Customs, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.57161789850656, 22.805139363178753

During the time of the second Venetian occupation, the mosque was used for Catholic worship, and has been identified, with some degree of certainty, with Saint Antonio of Padua. It was donated by the Venetian General-in-Chief Francesco Morosini to the Franciscan order in 1687, when the city was occupied by the Venetian Republic.

From 1828 to the beginning of 1833, the ‘Allilodidaktiko Boys School‘, was housed here: the name means that in this school teaching was carried out by the most competent students, the so-called ‘Protoscholoi’ or monitors.

Later, at the end of the 19th century, the building was used as a theatre; while in 1915 the interior was remodelled, degrading to a certain extent its original appearance.

For many years the ‘Trianon Cinema‘ was here, while more recently the old mosque has housed the Nauplion Municipal Theatre.

The exact location of the Triannon can be found below.

Geographical Coordinates

Trianon, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.56591454802759, 22.7973263163136

The centre of the park is dominated by a monumental statue on horseback: the hero of the Greek revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis. It is one of the most important works of neo-Hellenic sculpture and was created by the Tinian sculptor Lazaros Sochos in Paris.

Theodoros Kolokotronis, one of the most important figures in the Greek struggle for freedom, lived in Nauplion for many years, as did many of the well-known wartime leaders. In fact he was given a house in Syntagma Square, as well as land near the entrance to the city, in the modern Argous Street, together with the Chapel of Aghii Theodori, which survives to this day.

The exact location of Kolokotronis Park can be found below.

Geographical Coordinates

Kolokotronis Park, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.566050055417804, 22.802207132444273

On Michael Iatrou Street between the church of Aghii Pandes and the modern graveyard, the visitor will find an exceptional sculptured monument, one of the most important of 19th century Greece; known as the lion of Bavaria, which dates from 1840 -1841.

The lion, which is carved into the rock on a monumental scale, seems to be sleeping. The sculptor of this beautiful monument was the German, Christian Siegel, who was the first professor of sculpture at Athens Polytechnic. The model for the work was the Lion of Lucerne, by the famous Danish sculptor, Bertel Thorwaldsen.

Geographical Coordinates

Lion of Bavaria, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.56642854589997, 22.811366589621937

The rocky peninsular of the Acronauplia comprised the walled settlement of Nauplion from ancient times until the end of the 15th century.

The Acronauplia walls bear witness to its rich history, which it must be confessed, is a little difficult to follow, due to its long uninterrupted inhabitation. The current form of the castle, although quite changed by modern intervention, basically crystallised during the Frankish and first Venetian occupations from the 13th to 16th centuries.

Evidence of a pre-historic settlement has been found, and on the west side, a section of the ancient polygonal walls from the 4th century BC has survived. There are also remains of the walls from the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods.

From 1210-1212, when the Franks invaded the city, they divided the Acronauplia into two enclosures that they called castles. More or less in the middle of the peninsular was the Castello dei Franchi, which was built to house the Frankish leaders and became the administrative and military headquarters of the city; while the Castello dei Greci, in the western sector, further up, was built for the Greeks.

The Castello dei Greci must have existed during Byzantine times while the Castello dei Franchi must have been built a little later. The Franks built a wall between the two castles and a square tower in the middle of the hill, to control communication between them. In the eastern wall of the Frankish castle there was a gate protected by two circular towers and a triangular fort. This gate was decorated with interesting murals and became known as the ‘Gate of Peace’.

During the first Venetian occupation, and more specifically in 1470 during the command of Vettore Pasqualigo, the Venetians, threatened by Turkish raids, proceeded with repairs and extensions to the fortifications of the Acronauplia, under the supervision an important engineer of the time, Antonio Gambello.

The Castello di Toro is still in good condition today and, after climbing the steps from the Catholic church, one can admire the imposing round tower with its crenellations, which protects the city gate; an excellent example of late renaissance style.

Another work from the time was the so-called Traversa Gambello, which was designed to protect the Castello dei Franchi by the building of a second transverse wall between it and the Castello dei Greci. The gate between the two castles was reinforced with a polygonal bastion and a semi-circular wall with crenellations.

During the years of the first Turkish occupation, there were only a few re-enforcements and additions made to the castle, which was known by the Turks as Ich-cale, in other words the interior castle. It was inhabited by ordinary citizens, Turks and Christians, as the officers’ residences had moved to the lower city.

The demolition of the prisons began in 1970-71 in order to construct the ‘Xenia Pallas’ hotel, which involved the destruction of a large section of the walls and buildings of the Castello dei Greci. At the same time, Kapodistrias’ military hospital was also demolished. The only thing that remains of the hospital is the chapel of Aghii Anargiri.

Today, one can visit The Acronauplia climbing east from Staikopoulos Park through Arvanitias Square, or climb the steps from the Catholic church through the Castello di Toro.

The exact location of the Castle of Acronauplia can be found below.

It should be noted that the three enclosures of The Acronauplia can be seen best from the Palamidi.

Geographical Coordinates

Castle of Acronauplia, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.56454124535887, 22.793213998756162

The Courthouse, built with donations from the great Greek benefactor, Andreas Singros, was completed in 1911, from plans by Anastasios Stamatiadis. Today the appeals court is housed in the building, which was constructed in the neo-classical style.

In the southern section of the courthouse square there is a monument to the hero of the Greek revolution who became known as Nikitaras. Nikitas Stamatelopoulos, as he was really called, was a superb soldier. In fact, for a while he was in command of the siege of Nauplion.

The monument to Nikitaras was erected in 1926 by Aspasia Potamianou, on the wishes of her husband, the Nauplian politician, Elias Potamianos, and it takes the form of a memorial stone. At the base there is a relief design of a battle scene in which Nikitaras kills a Turkish cavalry man with his knife. The sculptor who designed the piece was Antonios Sochos, the nephew of Lazarus Sochos, who created the statue of Kolokotronis. Sochos seems to have been inspired by a mural by Peter Von (H)Ess, which depicts Nikitaras during the battle of Dervenakia. On the reverse side of the monument there is an engraving of verses from a poem by the Greek poet, Kostis Palamas, dedicated to Nikitaras.

Geographical Coordinates

6 Andreas Syngrou 6, Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.56560717278881, 22.800899255570965

This is one of the most important mansions from the reign of Otto to be found in Nauplion. The building originally dates from the second Venetian occupation, but it was rebuilt in 1831 and the second floor was added.

The house was home to the president of the regency, Count Joseph Ludwig von Armansperg, during 1833 and 1834. Armansperg was a highly controversial personality, and he has remained best known for the conspiratorial and autocratic nature of his policies.

According to witnesses of the time, the house was one of the largest in the city and the interior decoration left nothing to be desired in comparison to the greatest houses in Europe; it hosted receptions and balls with rare, for the time, musical accompaniment on the piano.

At one time, directly opposite the Armansperg residence, there stood the residence of Georg Ludwig von Maurer, the vice-president of the regency.

Geographical Coordinates

Plapouta 35, Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.5659183421402, 22.802632586155987

The bastion, named after the Venetian commander, Francesco Grimani, was built in the north-eastern corner of the Castello di Toro.

The bastion is still in good condition and is visible from the Land Gate and Staikopoulos Park.

Geographical Coordinates

Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.56420638056504, 22.800628334386612

The Bastion of “Pende Adelphia”, or Five Brothers, is the only bastion to escape demolition and survive to the present day. It is on the North West slope of the Acronauplia and owes its name to the five cannons, all the same size, that reinforced its defences.

This bastion protected the western section of the lower city and the harbour, in combination with the Bourtzi. It was probably constructed by the Venetians at around the end of the 15th century. According to some researchers, it must date from later, during the time of the Turkish occupation, as the construction demonstrates some roughness and lack of skill.

Geographical Coordinates

Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.56540854603372, 22.793241377473095

The Land Gate was built in 1708, by the French engineer, and succeeded the earlier gate dating from the first Venetian occupation. It was the only entrance to the city by land and, in fact, the gate would be closed at sunset. Whoever remained outside after that time was obliged to spend the night outside the city, usually in the Pronia suburb. In front of the gate was a moat filled with seawater, which ran along the eastern wall of the city. Access was only possible via a wooden drawbridge.

Near to the left-hand pillar there is a plaque, which has been inlaid into the wall, commemorating the liberation of the city by the Venetian general-in-chief, Francesco Morosini in 1687.

Geographical Coordinates

Andreas Syngrou & 25th March, Nafplio 211 00

• Google Map
• 37.56489040694022, 22.80084942442059

Geographical Coordinates

Sagredou Gate, Nafplio

• Google Map
• 37.5651611419184, 22.795649082084676