Why Is Nafplio Famous? | History & Landmarks Explained

If you're wondering why everyone talks about Nafplio, the short answer is this: it was the first capital of modern Greece, it has three surviving Venetian fortresses, and its old town remains almost untouched by modern development.

That combination — historical weight, architectural beauty, and a seaside setting — is hard to find anywhere else in Greece.

The First Capital of Greece

On January 18, 1823, the Third National Assembly designated Nafplio as the seat of the provisional revolutionary government. In 1827, it officially became the seat of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of Greece — making it the first capital of the newly formed Greek state. Kapodistrias was assassinated on October 9, 1831, in front of the Church of Agios Spyridonas in the city center; the bullet mark is still visible on the church wall. In 1833, the first King of Greece, Otto, arrived in Nafplio, and the city remained the capital until 1834, when the title passed to Athens.

Those eleven years (1823-1834) left Nafplio with firsts no other provincial city in Greece can claim: the first Greek printing house, the first parliament (housed in a former mosque), and the Evelpidon Military School, founded in 1828 by decree of Kapodistrias himself — the building now houses the city's War Museum.

Three Castles, One City

Few cities in Greece have three surviving fortifications at once:

- Palamidi — the imposing fortress above the city, built between 1687 and 1715 by the Venetians under Francesco Morosini after battle with the Ottomans. The view from the top — whether you climb the 999 steps or drive up — stretches across the Argolic Gulf.
- Bourtzi — the small fortified islet at the harbor entrance, first fortified during the First Venetian occupation (1389-1540) by Pasqualigo. It later served, oddly enough, as the residence of the city's executioner.
- Acronafplia — the least-known of the three, built on the rock above the old town, with wall sections dating back to the 4th century BC.

An Old Town That Wasn't Restored — It Simply Survived

Unlike many Greek cities where the historic center was lost or rebuilt during the 20th century, Nafplio's old town kept its neoclassical and Venetian architecture nearly intact. The narrow lanes around Syntagma Square, the wooden-balconied buildings, the old Parliament House (a former mosque) — together they give the city a feel that's genuinely hard to replicate.

See Also

Palamidi
Bourtzi
Acronafplia
Archaeological Museum

FAQ

Why was Nafplio chosen as Greece's first capital?
Mainly because it was coastal and fortified — it could be resupplied by sea even under siege, which mattered greatly for a fledgling government in the middle of a revolution.

How many years was Nafplio the capital?
Officially from 1827 to 1834, though it had already been functioning as the seat of the provisional government since 1823 — roughly eleven years in total.

Which is Nafplio's oldest fortress?
Acronafplia, with wall sections dating to the 4th century BC, although most of the visible walls today come from later periods.