Things to See
Palamidi Castle in Nafplio
Built in 1686 by the Venetians, Palamidi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Greece, stands 216 meters above sea level. If you’re up for the hike, 999 steps will lead you to the top, where stunning panoramic views await, as well as enchanting baroque-style archways along the way. The Palamidi hill, which owes its name to the Homeric hero Palamidis, hadn’t been systematically fortified until the years of the Second Ottoman domination.
Explore the history of Nafplio
There are many noteworthy museums in town that can provide further insight into the area’s culture and history. The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio exhibits important artifacts from the Prehistoric and Mycenaean Era, the War Museum was the former site of the first Military School in Greece, and the Komboloi Museum showcases an impressive global collection of worry beads, which Nafplio is especially known to produce. Last but not least, Nafplio’s War Museum, an annex of the Athens War Museum, has been operating since 1988 in an impressive building of Venetian architecture.
Mycenae
Home of Agememnon, the ancient king who united and commanded the Greeks during the Trojan war, the ruins of Mycenae were thought to be a myth until Heinrich Schliemann proved otherwise. At one time the city overlooked a large bay which is now the plain of Argos.
Epidavros
This is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in all of Greece and should not be missed. Home of the 3rd Century theater, the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed here until the 4th century BC and then continued in 1955 to the present during the Epidavros festival that takes place from the beginning of July to the end of August. The theater is perhaps the most acoustically perfect in all of Greece, a fact illustrated to us by our history teacher who dropped a pin which we could hear from the top seats.
Palea Epidavros
The town of Palea Epidavros is a small port on the sea and is famous for its citrus groves. In the backyard of a small house an ancient theater was discovered and is in the process of being excavated as well as some other ancient buildings in the olive grove next door. There is a nice square here with some fish tavernas kept supplied by a fleet of fishing boats.
Argos
Founded by the Dorians, the city of Argos is in a fertile plain at the foot of Mount Chaon and is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Greece. Argos is the agricultural and commercial center of the prefecture, famous for its citrus orchards. Unfortunately, most of the ancient past is buried under the modern town, but the archaeological museum on the town’s impressive main square is worth stopping for though it has been temporarily closed for 3 years. Instead visit the Byzantine Museum in the attractive old army barracks next to the market.
