Bourtzi, Venetian fortress in Nafplio harbor, Greece
Bourtzi is a Venetian fortress built on a small rocky islet in Nafplio harbor, featuring Renaissance architecture with three distinct levels. The structure has movable stairs connecting its floors and separate entrances positioned on both the north and south sides.
The fortress was built in 1473 by Venetian engineers Antonio Gambello and Brancaleone to defend Nafplio against pirate raids. A chain system stretching across the harbor could be raised to block hostile vessels from entering.
The fortress shifted roles through the centuries, serving as a military stronghold, refuge for officials, and later as a residence for the executioner. These changing uses show how the structure adapted to meet the needs of successive rulers and local populations.
Regular boat services depart from Nafplio port to reach the fortress on the islet. The crossing is short, making it easy to fit a visit into a morning or afternoon without disrupting other plans.
Turkish forces once installed a stone barricade under the seabed around the island to prevent large vessels from approaching the fortress. This submerged defensive barrier demonstrates the ingenuity of those who held the position.
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