Nauplion, Coastal fortress town in Peloponnese, Greece
Nauplion is a coastal town in the Peloponnese, Greece, spread along the shore and up the slopes of several hills. Three old fortress complexes overlook the old town with its narrow lanes and small squares, while the harbor sits directly on the water.
The town became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century after Venetian occupation and later turned into a center of the Greek independence struggle in the 1820s. Between 1823 and 1834 it served as the first capital of modern Greece after liberation.
The name comes from Nauplios, a mythological seafarer and founder of the settlement in ancient times. Today the harbor taverns fill every evening with locals enjoying seafood and wine while looking out over the bay.
The old town is best explored on foot since most lanes are closed to cars. The climb to Palamidi fortress follows steep steps, while Bourtzi fort on a small island can only be reached by boat.
The Akronafplia, oldest of the three fortresses, sits directly above the old town and has been partly converted into a hotel today. From here you have the shortest path to the water and can overlook the entire bay.
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