Palamidi, Venetian fortress in Nauplion, Greece

Palamidi is a stone fortress that rises 216 meters above Nafplio, featuring eight independent bastions connected by high defensive walls. The structure commands expansive views over the city, coastline, and surrounding hills, creating a commanding position over the entire region.

Palamidi was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area, from 1711 to 1714, on a 216-metre hill east of the Acronauplia. It was designed by the Venetian engineer Antonio Giancix and built by the French military engineer Pierre de la Salle. In 1715 the Ottomans captured it and held it until 1822, when Greek forces took it at the Siege of Nauplia.

The bastions were first named after Venetian provveditori, then given Turkish names under Ottoman rule, and finally renamed by the Greeks after ancient leaders and heroes: Epaminondas, Miltiades, Leonidas, Phocion, Achilles and Themistocles. The remaining two honour St. Andrew and the French Philhellene Robert, who died fighting on the Acropolis of Athens.

The climb from Nafplio follows a stone staircase of 857 steps, not the 999 of local legend, and a carriage road also leads up to the fortress. The ascent on foot takes time and effort, especially in hot weather, so sturdy footwear and water are needed. The hilltop stands 216 metres above the town.

The Robert Bastion is named after a French Philhellene who died fighting on the Acropolis of Athens. The fortress's eight bastions originally bore the names of Venetian provveditori, were renamed in Turkish after the Ottoman capture of 1715, and received their present names of ancient Greek leaders and heroes only after the Greeks took the fortress in 1822.