Cruise the three castles of Nafplion by sea kayak

Nafplio is the capital of N. Argolida, and the most important port of East. Peloponnese, Argolic Gulf. It has been declared a traditional settlement. According to Greek mythology, the city was named after its founder, Nafplio, son of Poseidon and Amymone. Nafplion was the first capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1823-1834. After the 1984 the state capital was Athens.

FORTRESS Acronauplia

Akronafplia or "Itch Kale ", which in Turkish means "Interior Castle", is the oldest of the three Castles of Nafplio, the story starts to prehistoric times, in the Cyclopean walls (4^th century. B.C.). Had systematic fortification, mainly after 8^The c., which underwent changes in the Venetian period. The 1210-1212, when the Franks conquered city parted region Acronafplia in two precincts, height 85m., called Castles. In the middle of the peninsula, It was called "Frankish Castle», which was intended for the residence of the rulers Franks and was the administrative and military center, while the "Pomeiko Castle», in the western part of the peninsula and at a higher level, intended for Greeks. the Franks, to control communication between the two castles, They built a wall between the two castles and a square tower, in the medium hill.

The 1470, the Venetians, under the threat of Turkish raids, Additional built the "Castello di Toro», with five cannons Its name probably comes from the Italian word "torrione" meaning "the big tower in fortress wall".

The 1822 here raised the flag of freedom Theodoros Kolokotronis, who a decade later found to Castle Palamidi prisoner. The 1829, on Kapodistrias, within Fort, He had built a church, a barracks and a military hospital.

The 1833-1862, on Otto, the Bavarian army preserved the fortifications, made military depots and perfected the military hospital facilities.

The 1926 prisons transferred Palamidi Akronafplia, the barracks of Kapodistrias.

at Metaxas (1936-1941) in these prisons were sending political opponents of the regime, character retained Akronafplia and during the German occupation. The prisons were closed during the reign of Paul I, where then they demolished and the site got a big hotel complex, the "Xenia".

Palamidi fortress

The castle is located on top of a gray rock, height 216 m. It was built in the period 1711-1714 by the Venetians in projects of engineering Giaxich and Lasalle, on the ruins of old fortifications. The 1715 fell to the Turks. It got its name from the Homeric hero Palamedes. A model of Venetian fortification, with powerful walls and 8 fortifications (ramparts). In any fortification Greeks gave 8 names, as Agios Andreas (with homonymous church within the Castle), Robert (French FILELLINON), Miltiades, Achilles, Epaminondas, Phocion, Themistocles and Leonidas.

After the Revolution, Palamidi served as a prison during the reign of King Otto (1833-1862) and George A. (1863-1913) was the most inhumane prison in Greece. The prisoners' living conditions were nightmarish.

The 1833 Palamidi imprisoned Theodoros Kolokotronis, for dissident activity and released 11 months after, after grace of King Otto. From 1840-1926, the fortification with the name Miltiadis, which was the largest in size, It turned into one of the toughest prisons for convicts serving long sentences.

It belongs to the World Heritage of UNESCO. Below the fortification with Themistocles name is known Arvanitia beach.

Access to the Castle can be done either from the road leading to the east, either from the ladder to the 999, located at the west gate. This ladder, The tradition wanted to he's got 999 steps, because the millimeter threw his horse Kolokotronis, actually has fewer steps and built in the time of King Otto by convicts who were imprisoned in Palamidi, under the supervision of the Bavarian army.

BOURTZI

Bourtzi was created during the first period of Venetian rule (1389-1541) by architect Gabello (1473). It was the residence of the executioners of Palamidi who came out of there only to execute the death sentences. Is the small island of St. Theodore located at the entrance of the bay. The Venetians called it "Costello of the Soglio"Ie"Castle's Throne». Bourtzi name is Turkish and means "Island Fortress».

Nafplion referred to as "Harbor Chain» (Porto Cadena) as Akronafplia up Bourtzi was a mobile chain that was designed to protect the port and the city from the invaders who came from the sea.

SEA CRUISE WITH KAYAK

The cruise includes marine tour follows the route : harbor Nafplio – Bourtzi – Akronafplia fortress – Arvanitia beach- isolated Beach – Palamidi – harbor Nafplio. The level of difficulty is very easy and suitable for all ages. The cruise starts at 10.00 until 13.00 and the duration is 3 hours, with a stop for swimming, about 1 -1,5 hours, Nearby secluded beach.

The company "PANEXPEDITIONS» KAYAK NAFPLIO which organizes the cruise offers the following :

Single or double sea kayak with full equipment, as auxiliary buoyancy, spray deck and paddle.

The guides are friendly and speak English are certified as: