Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Nafplion

The Arvanitia Promenadeas is one of the most beautiful walks that Nafplion has to offer. It begins at the end of the small harbor next to the lighthouse and ends a distance of one kilometer reaching the square of Arvanitia next to the beach of Arvanitia. The route of Arvanitia is a paved path, with on one side the Argolic Gulf and on the other the rock walls of Acronafplia with flowers and lots of cactuses. On the second part of the promenade one has a beautiful view towards the imposing Palamidi fortress (PiP6). The name Arvanitia Promenade is due to the fact that Albanians had inhabited the area outside the walls of Nafplion since before the time of the first Venetian occupation.

Palamidi fortress is one of the most important and best-preserved castles in Greece, a beautiful example of Venetian architecture of the 18th century. It is located located on a 216 meters high hill above the city of Nafplion. The hill at which the castle is located was named after Palamidis, the hero of Homer’s Epics. The fortress was a very large and ambitious project, but was finished within a relatively short period from 1711 until 1714. It is a typical baroque fortress based on the plans of a Venetian engineer. In 1715, just one year after its completion, it was occupied by the Turks. During the Greek War of Independence - in 1822 - Palamidi was captured by the Greeks. The fortress commands an impressive The view from the fortress over Nafplion, the Argolic Gulf and the surrounfing county are just stunning

The history of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour - also knowns as Frankoklisia - probably began during the time of the Frankish occupation of Nafplio, when the church must have been used as a convent for Franciscan nuns. Shortly before the outbreak of the Greek revolutionin 1821, when Nafplio was still under Turkish control, the widow of the Aga-Pasha converted it into a mosque, as a memorial to her husband. In 1839, with the mediation of King Otto (the first king of the modern Greek state), the Municipality of Nafplio granted the mosque to the Catholic Church, for the ecclesiastical needs of the approximately three hundred Greek and foreign Catholics - mainly the Bavarian soldiers who belonged to the king's entourage. After repairs, the church was officially opened in 1840. The church has been in continuous operation from 1839 to the present day.

The Church of Panagia ( Ιερός Ναός Παναγίας ) – consecrated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary - is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches of Nafplion. The original temple, dating back to the 15th century was smaller and belonged to the Orthodox Church. Around 1700, during the second Venetian domination, the church took its current form, a three-aisled basilica. A further addition is the church-porch, while the bell tower dates added in 1907. The Church of Panagia has a beautiful wood-carved temple of Ionian style inside, created in the 19th century. The pulpit and the episcopal throne of the church are of a similar style. Its frescoes are impressive.

According to mythology, Nafplion was founded by Nafplios, the son of god Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus Anymone. The town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike. The town declined during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors left their mark in the town and strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions during the centuries. After Greek War of Independence, Nafplion became the first Greek capital in 1829. Nafplion remained the capital of the kingdom until 1834, when King Otto decided to move the capital to Athens. Nowadays Nafplion is considered being one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. It offers magnificent neoclassical buildings, large squares, pretty flower-decorated shopping streets along with the harbour and imposing forts and castles.

The nunnery of Agia Moni is located a couple of kilometers outside the town of Nafplion. The katholikon (= main church) is dating back to the middle of the 12th century. It is one of the most important churches of the middle Byzantine period in Greece. According to its foundation inscription the church was built with donations of the bishop of Argos and Nafplion, who had constructed it in the year of 1149. The church is mainly of architectural interest as the murals and decorations have not survived. Apart from the church, the monastery complex consists of small chapels and housing and living quarters for the nuns, who still life here. The church is dedicated to Zoodochos (= “Source of life”). Just outside the nunnery one can find the monastic spring, which is famous for its water.

Palamidi is a vast spectacular fortress that dominates Nafplio, nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill above the city. It was built between 1711 and 1714 by the Venetians built the castle during their second occupation of this part of Greece. It was one of the most important and impressive ‘castles’ the Venetians built outside their own country. This fort consists of eight bastions (PiP2), each was self contained, ensuring that if one bastion was breached the others could still be separately defended. The bastions were built one on top of the other and they all connected with one wall. Yet, in 1715, one year after completion, it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks. Nafplio is one of the first places in Greece that won independence. November 29th, 1822, a group of Greek rebels overpowered the Turks in Palamidi and the next day the town could celebrate its freedom. From 1840 and for nearly a hundred years, Palamidi was used as a prison. Theodoros Kolokotronis, hero of the Greek Revolution, was one of the prisoners. His cell can still be visited. Prisoners, who were held in Palamidi, constructed the stairs from Nafplio up to the castle was built. It is often said by locals in Nafplio that there are 999 steps, but I did read several numbers; some say "only" 857, others 901 or 913. The fortress can also be reached by car. The views of Nafplio, Bourtzi Castle, the Argolic Gulf and surrounding country are overwhelming (main picture and PiP3).

Nafplio (or Nafplion) was the first capital of the newly born Greek state - after a Turkish occupation - between 1823 and 1834. It is situated along the Argolic Gulf in the north-eastern part of the Peloponnesus, just a couple of hours by car from Athens. The city with a small port is built on a small peninsula beneath the towering Palamidi fortress. According to mythology, the town was founded by Nafplios, the son of god Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus Anymone. The history traces back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike. The town declined during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors left their mark in the town and strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions during the centuries. It is said that Nafplio is one of the most prettiest and romantic towns of Greece. After our visit I fully agree with that. It was such a pleasure strolling through the medieval old town with its narrow streets, lined with small shops, boutiques, (art) galleries, cafés and restaurants. Well preserved mansions with their architecture and beauty were on many places full with blooming jasmine and bougainvillea. .