subject: Nafplio Greece [print this page] The Greek Traditional town of Nafplio is situated in Argolida prefecture, which in ancient times was once considered the central area of Greece. It has a great history and the monuments show that from this area have been having passed many races in the ancient years, like the Mycenaeans, the Dorians, the Romans and finally they left the area free for the Greeks. When you are there, you may feel like immersing yourself in its history by burrowing into its past.
Take time to see some of the sites, whether you are climbing up the 857 steps to the Venetian fortress of Palamidi, which crowns the city, or wandering round the battlements of Acronafpia. Then pop over to the Bourtzi, the fortified islet pictured, afloat in the middle of the bay. You will soon discover a new sight or sensation coming across your path every minute of your walk, for Nafplio is full of the joy of life. While strolling you will discover the quaint little restaurants on the waterfront, the open-air cinemas, the bars and the music that take you closer to the people, the sea and the land. In Syntagma Square you may also want to check out the Archaeological Museum with its finds from various periods and frescoes from Mycenae and Assini, housed in an imposing Venetian building, while the Folk Art Museum, on Vassilis Alexandrou street which occupies a neoclassical house is also worth a visit as well.
Concerning the surrounding area of Nafplio, Argolida was inhabited in the Mesolithic Era (8000 BC) and it was one of the most crucial centers in Peloponnisos. During the Neolithic Era many significant settlements like Mykines were founded whereas in the period of the Brass the whole area flourished and many centers were developed (Assini, Tirintha, Prosimna and other). Among them Mikines was the most glorious one and it gave its name to one of the most splendid cultural periods of the ancient times the Mikinean period. The whole area was disordered in the 12th century BC by various movements of immigration. As a result Argos was subjected to Dories it became a Doric center and gradually it subjected other Argolic towns.
Comming nowadays in Nafplio City the visitors feel the spirit of the ancient habitats overlooking the surrounding ancient monuments.
