Acronauplia fortress description and photos - Greece: Nafplio (Topic)

Acronauplia fortress description and photos - Greece: Nafplio. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Acronauplia.

Photo and description

The ancient fortress Akronafplia rises above the old town of Nafplio, on a narrow rocky promontory. The fortress is also known under the name Itz Kale, which it received during the Ottoman domination (translated from Turkish - "inner fortress"). This structure is the oldest of the three surviving fortresses in Nafplion.

During archaeological excavations in this area, traces of settlements have been discovered since the Neolithic era. Some fragments of the walls of the fortress date back to the 4th century BC. Over the centuries, the territory has constantly changed its owners (Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, Turks), each of whom made their own additions to the defensive structures. The external appearance of Akronafplia, as we see it today, and most of the surviving buildings inside the fortress, were mainly built by the Venetians in the 14-15th centuries on the remains of older buildings. In 1829, under the leadership of Ioannis Kapodistrias (the first president of independent Greece in 1827-1831), a military hospital and a church were built on the territory of the fortress. During the time of George I, the fortress turned into a military prison (later the prison was also used to hold civil criminals). In the 1970s, the prison and a number of other buildings were destroyed and the luxury hotel Xenia Palace was built.

The fortress has been well preserved to our times. And today, above the gate, you can see a beautiful bas-relief depicting the famous Venetian symbol of St. Mark's Leo. The ancient acropolis was located nearby. Now there is a symbol of the city - a clock tower.

We also recommend reading Imaret description and photos - Greece: Kavala

Topic: Acronauplia fortress description and photos - Greece: Nafplio.