Secrets of Nafplio: Private walking tour with a local tour guide

The Land Gate was built in 1708, by the French engineer, and succeeded the earlier gate dating from the first Venetian occupation. It was the only entrance to the city by land and, in fact, the gate would be closed at sunset. Whoever remained outside after that time was obliged to spend the night outside the city, usually in the Pronia suburb. In front of the gate was a moat filled with seawater, which ran along the eastern wall of the city. Access was only possible via a wooden drawbridge.

One of the darkest pages of modern Greek history unfolded outside the entrance of Agios Spyridon. There, on September 27th 1831, the first Governor of the liberated Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was shot dead by the Mavromichali brothers, on his arrival at the church of Agios Spyridon to attend the Mass, as he used to do every Sunday; in the church, which was dedicated to the patron saint of his birthplace, the island of Corfu. At the entrance of the temple, however, his assassins had set him up and after greeting him, they attacked him: Konstantinos Mavromichalis with a pistol and Georgios Mavromichalis with a knife. The death of the Governor was instantaneous. Konstantinos Mavromichalis was persecuted and killed by the enraged crowd, while George Mavromichalis was executed a few days later.

The building which is known today as the ‘Trianon’, from the name of the cinema which was housed here, is of special interest, as much for its architectural design as for its history. It is the oldest mosque still surviving in the city and was strongly influenced by Byzantine church architecture. It dates from the time of the first Turkish occupation, probably the second half of the 16th century, and is possibly the only building in the city to survive from that time. It differs from the great mosque in Syntagma Square, the Parliament, as in the latter the Ottoman style of architecture seems to have taken over.

The building that today houses the Archaeological Museum is one of the most splendid of the Venetian buildings in the city, and marks the end of the ‘Megalos Dromos’ or ‘Great Road’. On the façade of the building there is a Latin inscription which informs us that the building was constructed in 1713, by the Venetian Superintendent of the Fleet, Agostino Sagredo, to be used as a warehouse for the fleet.

Syndagma Square, the most important and historic square in Nafplio, comprises the centre of the city. It is assumed that from 1540, the time of the first Turkish occupation, the Turkish commander of the Peloponnese, Mora-Pasha, had his seraglio here. The importance of the square is also demonstrated by the number of times it has undergone a change of name. In the 19th century it was known as ‘Platanos Square’ or simply ‘Platanos’, for the plane tree which once occupied the centre, in the shade of which national politicians made speeches. In 1843 the name was changed to ‘Ludwig Square’, in honour of Ludwig, father of King Otto, who had then visited the city. In the same year, after the revolution of 3rd September 1843, when the Greeks demanded that Otto grant them a constitution, the name was changed first to Syntagma (or constitution) Square, then ‘Stratonas Square’, and ‘King George II Square’.

The Parliament building, which is located in the south-west sector of Syntagma Square, holds a special place in Greek history, as it was here that the parliament of the rebellious Greeks met. It dates from 1730, the time of the second Turkish occupation of the city, and was originally built as a mosque.

The Castello dello Soglio, as the Venetian castle was first called, has had a mixed past (from prison to hotel to concert venue) and is worth visiting by boat. But just gazing at it is enough to form a postcard-perfect memory of Nafplio. In this tour, we admire and talk about this landmark without visiting the islet.

It’s the only Venetian bastion that escaped destruction.

Originally built by the Romans and Byzantines, is the oldest of Nafplion's three castles and until the arrival of the Venetians, the town was restricted within its walls. The Turks called it Ich - Kale (meaning inner castle). It was used as a Greek political prison from 1936 to 1956. Discover a breathtaking, locals-only secret at Akronafplia Castle, where the essence of Greece unfolds in a panoramic masterpiece. Perched high above Nafplio, this secluded viewpoint offers an iconic vista that captures the heart of the Mediterranean: endless azure waves of the Argolic Gulf stretching to meet a boundless sky, dotted with sailboats gliding gracefully. The rugged charm of the castle’s ancient walls frames the scene, while vibrant prickly pear cacti add a quintessentially Greek touch of wild beauty. This is the Greece of your dreams—vivid, timeless, and unforgettable.

Three Admirals Square is surrounded by important historical and public buildings such as the first high school, the town hall and the Grand Street or King Constantine, which is also the most touristic street of Nafplion, passes in front of it

Let's meet the first governor of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Kapodistrias at Kapodistria's Square and enjoy an ice-cream at Kolokotronis Park.

The Church of Panaghia, consecrated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the city. The original church, which dates from the 15th century, to the time of the first Venetian occupation, was smaller and belonged to the Orthodox Church. In around 1700, during the time of the second Venetian occupation, the church took its current form, a three-aisled basilica. The interior has a beautiful wooden chancel in the eptanisian style and was created in the 19th century. The pulpit and bishop’s throne are also in the same style. The narthex is a later addition, while the bell tower dates from 1907. The Church of Panaghia also celebrates the memory of Aghios Anastasios, the Patron Saint of the City. Every year, on 1st February, the saint’s feast day, there is a great procession of the icon of the protector of the city.

This is one of the most important mansions from the reign of Otto to be found in Nafplio. The building originally dates from the second Venetian occupation, but it was rebuilt in 1831 and the second floor was added. The house was home to the president of the regency, Count Joseph Ludwig von Armansperg, during 1833 and 1834. Armansperg was a highly controversial personality, and he has remained best known for the conspiratorial and autocratic nature of his policies. According to witnesses of the time, the house was one of the largest in the city and the interior decoration left nothing to be desired in comparison to the greatest houses in Europe; it hosted receptions and balls with rare, for the time, musical accompaniment on the piano.

The centre of the park is dominated by a monumental statue on horseback: the hero of the Greek revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis. It is one of the most important works of neo-Hellenic sculpture and was created by the Tinian sculptor Lazaros Sochos in Paris. It is made of a copper alloy and is placed on a monumental stone pedestal. The ‘old man of Moria’, as Theodoros Kolokotronis was known, is depicted on horseback, holding the reins in his left hand and showing the way forward with his right. The whole work is impressive and the proud form of Kolokotronis exudes an air of greatness. The cost for the acquisition of the statue was exceptionally high, and a nationwide appeal was necessary to raise the funds. It was moulded in 1894 at the Thiebaut foundry in Paris and in 1895 it was transported to Greece.