Acronauplia: Nafplio's Oldest Fortress
Acronauplia is the headland where the town's southern and western sides plunge sharply into the sea, with Nafplio's old town built right on top of it — hence the name.
It served as the town's acropolis since antiquity. It sits across from the sea fortress of Bourtzi, below Palamidi, with access from the north via the historic artificial gorge of Arvanitia or through the Gate of the Torri Castle.
If Palamidi is Nafplio's most photographed castle, Acronauplia is its oldest — with traces of life going back to the 4th century BC, long before a single stone of Palamidi was laid.
History of Acronauplia
Antiquity
The earliest traces of life on Acronauplia date to the 4th century BC, when a fortified settlement developed here. During Roman times, the settlement shifted further south, with a semicircular tower built as the town's main gate.
Byzantine Period
Acronauplia saw significant development during the Byzantine era, serving as the seat of the local lord Leon Sgouros.
Frankish Rule (around 1210-1212)
After a long siege led by Otho de la Roche, Frankish rule began, and Acronauplia was split into two castles: the eastern Frankish castle (for Frankish lords and soldiers) and the western "Romeiko" castle (for the Greek population). A wall separated the two, meant to keep the Greek residents under control. At the entrance of the eastern Frankish castle stood the elegant Gate of Peace.
First Venetian Period (1389-1540)
The Venetians captured Acronauplia after a series of sieges and held it until 1540. They gave the town the name "Napoli di Romania" and built a third, simpler castle with a lion crest as its emblem — the Castello di Toro (Castle of the Torri). The advent of gunpowder forced a shift in fortification technique: towers and moats were built in lower Acronauplia, around the Five Brothers bastion, controlling access from the Land Gate and the Sea Gate.
First Ottoman Period (1540-1686)
The Ottomans made no major structural changes but reinforced the fortifications with larger cannons and renamed the town "Its Kale" — the inner castle.
Second Venetian Period (1686-1715)
General Morosini recaptured Acronauplia in 1686, launching his Peloponnese liberation campaign from Tolo. The fierce fighting had nearly destroyed the town, triggering a major period of reconstruction: under designer Lasalle, the Land Gate was rebuilt, and the Grimani bastion and the new Sagredo Gate were constructed. At the same time, greater emphasis was placed on fortifying Palamidi, pushing Acronauplia to second priority defensively.
Second Ottoman Period (1715-1822)
Ottoman rule returned in 1715, and the Ottomans likewise prioritised Palamidi's fortification, reinforcing it with 400 cannons — 84 of them heavy-type (64 pounds each).
The Liberation (1822)
On November 29, 1822, Staikos Staikopoulos and 300 men captured the Palamidi fortress after months of siege — a soldier from Moschonisia named Dimitrios was first to set foot inside, at the Achilles bastion, on the feast day of Saint Andrew. With Palamidi's cannons holding the fortification advantage, the Greeks bombarded Acronauplia for three days. On December 3, the Ottomans surrendered the castle to commander-in-chief Theodoros Kolokotronis, who appointed Anastasios Koutroumbis of Spetses as garrison commander.
Barracks and Prisons
Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias rebuilt and maintained Acronauplia in 1829, constructing a military hospital and barracks — it became the military centre of the Peloponnese. In 1926, the prison previously housed at Palamidi was moved to Acronauplia, and in 1937, under Metaxas, it became a political prison, operating as such until 1960.
Acronauplia Today
Between 1970-1971, the prison, the military hospital, and a large part of the Romeiko castle were demolished to build the Xenia Palace hotel. Only the small chapel of Agioi Anargyroi survived. Today, Acronauplia is fully woven into the old town — a place for a scenic walk with panoramic views, not a ticketed monument.
Practical Visitor Information
Getting there:
- Walk up the road from Arvanitia Square
- Take the elevator near the former Xenia hotel, just above the Five Brothers bastion
- Walk through the old town toward the Catholic Church stairway and the Gate of the Torri Castle
Admission: Call to verify.
Practical tips:
- Combine it with the Arvanitia Promenade walk — they start from the same point
- Best views at sunset, with Bourtzi and the Argolic Gulf in front of you
- Fewer crowds than Palamidi — a good pick for similar atmosphere without the queues
See Also
- Palamidi Castle — the newer, more famous fortress
- Bourtzi — the sea fortress across the water
- Five Brothers Bastion
- Arvanitia Promenade — starts from the same access point
FAQ
Do I need a ticket for Acronauplia?
No — Acronauplia isn't a ticketed monument, it's part of the town's open streets and walkways, free to explore anytime.
What's the difference between Acronauplia and Palamidi?
Acronauplia is the town's oldest fortress, with traces dating to the 4th century BC, built directly into Nafplio's urban fabric. Palamidi is newer (1711-1714), stands on a separate hill, and is famous for its 857-step climb.
How do I get to Acronauplia?
Either by walking up the road from Arvanitia Square, taking the elevator near the Five Brothers bastion, or walking through the Old Town toward the Gate of the Torri Castle.
Why is it called Its Kale?
It's the Turkish name given to the area during the First Ottoman period (1540-1686), meaning "the inner castle."
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