Nafplion offers several ways to explore the city’s history: through an archaeological find, Venetian defensive structures and places of remembrance. The harbor and paths by the sea also provide practical points of reference. The themes differ in period and focus—from the armor from Dendra to the island in the harbor.

Archaeology across a broad span of time

The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio displays a bronze Dendra armor suit found in a chamber tomb dating to the 15th century BC. Its permanent exhibition presents the cultural history of the Argolid from the Paleolithic to the Roman period. The find and the broad span of time appeal to different interests: the armor leads to a single object and its archaeological context, while the exhibition places cultural history within a long period. This lets you choose between a specific find and a broad historical overview for your museum visit. Check the latest information about the permanent exhibition in advance.

Venetian buildings in different locations

Palamidi is a Venetian fortress located 216 meters above Nafplion and built between 1711 and 1714. Bourtzi is a Venetian castle on the island of Agioi Theodoroi in the harbor, about 400 meters from the quay. Both buildings have Venetian origins, but their points of reference differ: Palamidi is characterized by its elevation and construction dates, while Bourtzi is defined by its island and harbor location and its approximate distance from the quay. This comparison makes the different features of the two fortifications tangible without losing sight of their shared historical context.

Earlier uses and political history

The history of these buildings can also be explored through their earlier uses. The Trianon is a building from the Ottoman period; it later served first as a school and then as a cinema. The Old Parliament of Nafplio is a former mosque where Greece’s first parliament once convened. The two places represent different historical threads: at the Trianon, a succession of uses can be traced, while the Old Parliament brings together its former religious use and the history of parliament. Those who consider buildings not only in terms of their period but also their changing roles over time will find two distinct points of reference here.

A place of remembrance in the old town

The Church of Agios Spyridon in Nafplion’s old town is a precisely datable site in the city’s history. On September 27, 1831, Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece’s first governor, was assassinated there. At the entrance, a memorial plaque and a glass case set into the wall, containing the fatal bullet, commemorate the attack. The date, person and memorial markers connect the event to a specific place. Agios Spyridon is therefore a precise point of reference for exploring the history of Greece in the early 19th century.

Finding your way around the harbor and the sea

For finding your way around the harbor, Philellinon Square is a clear point of reference: it lies opposite the harbor. The Arvanitia Promenade offers a walking route by the sea; the Arvanitia Route provides a view of the Gulf of Argolis. These offer different options for planning your day: finding your way around the harbor, taking a walk by the sea or enjoying a view of the gulf.

Discover more destinations: Nea Epidavros, Kantia, Pigadia, Árgos, Drepano, Ermioni, Kanapitsa, Míloi

Go to the main travel overview: Argolis.