Nafplio is a charming city with a spectacular waterfront, small streets and historic buildings crowned by a fortress that looks over another fort in the middle of the harbor. Is like a bigger version of the Plaka in Athens, only more beautiful. The main platia called Syntagma (Constitution) Square, is paved in marble and is on a much grander scale than anything you will find in the Plaka and surrounded by historical buildings including a Turkish mosque, several very popular cafes, shops, a bank that looks like an art-deco version of Knossos, the well-stocked Archaeological museum. From the coast of Nafplio you can see the Bourtzi. Bourtzi is a fortified islet. The Bourtzi in Nafplion was built by the Venetians in 1473 and protected the entrance to the harbor from Pirates. In the 19th century this is where the executioners for the prison at the Palamidi. Bourtzi is more or less the symbol or mascot of the city. Another really beautifull building in Nafplio is Palamidi. The Palamidi Fortress, which sits above and dominates the city, is actually three separate fortresses walled together. It was built by the Venetians in 1714 and then taken by the Turks the following year and held until they surrendered it to Kolokotronis after a 15 month siege during the 1821 Greek War of Independence. There are 999 steps leading up to the fortress. There is a spectacular view of the city and much of the entire bay and the eastern Peloponessos.
