Palamidi Castle: The Fortress That Watches Over Nafplio
Palamidi is the imposing Venetian fortress standing 216 metres above Nafplio, built in a record three years (1711-1714).
It's widely considered the best-preserved fortress complex of its era in Greece, and climbing up to it — on foot or by car — is close to a must for anyone visiting the town.
If you've heard about the famous "999 steps," here's the truth: it's a legend. We'll get to why below.
The 857 Steps (Not 999)
Local tradition says the climb has 999 steps, because the 1,000th one broke under the hoof of Theodoros Kolokotronis's horse. In reality, the steps you'll walk today — built during King Otto's reign — number 857. The 999 figure has stuck around in folklore and marketing, but if you count them yourself on the way up (plenty of visitors do), you'll land on a smaller number.
The climb starts on the western side of the castle, on the road toward Arvanitia beach, and takes roughly 30-45 minutes at a relaxed pace, with landings along the way to catch your breath and take photos. The view over Nafplio, Bourtzi and the Argolic Gulf makes it worth every step.
If you'd rather skip the climb, there's a paved road up to the eastern gate (head toward Karathona beach, then turn right at the top of the hill).
History of Palamidi
First Venetian Period (1389-1540)
Nafplio came under Venetian rule in 1389, the start of a 150-year presence. At this stage, the Palamidi hill had no systematic fortification yet.
First Ottoman Period (1540-1686)
In 1540, after a three-year siege, Ottoman forces under Kasım Pasha captured Nafplio. Palamidi was used strategically for the first time, though it still had no proper fortress.
Second Venetian Period and the Building of the Fortress (1686-1715)
General Morosini recaptured Nafplio in 1686. The Venetians recognised the strategic value of the hill and began fortification work under Agostino Sagredo. The design, credited to Giaxich and LaSalle, followed a "dapia" bastion system — self-supporting bastions arranged in tiers and connected by walls. In just three years (1711-1714), one of the era's most significant fortification projects was completed, with eight independent bastions: Achilles, Themistocles, Leonidas, Miltiades, Robert, Fokion, Epaminondas, and the central bastion of Saint Andrew (patron of the Sagredo family), which also housed command headquarters.
Third Ottoman Period (1715-1822)
In 1715, Ottoman forces recaptured Nafplio.
The Liberation (1822)
On November 29, 1822, after months of siege, Staikos Staikopoulos led 300 men to take the castle — a soldier from Moschonisia named Dimitrios was first to set foot inside, at the Achilles bastion. The date coincided with the feast of Saint Andrew, which is why the chapel inside the fortress is dedicated to him; the commemoration is still held every year.
Kolokotronis's Imprisonment
In 1834, Theodoros Kolokotronis was imprisoned at Palamidi for 11 months on a charge of high treason. Historical studies place his actual cell at the Miltiades bastion.
The Name
Palamidi takes its name from Palamedes, the Homeric hero who fought in the Trojan War but was executed after being falsely accused of treason by Odysseus.
Practical Visitor Information
Opening Hours 2026:
- November 1 – March 31: 08:30 – 15:30
- April: 08:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:35)
- May – August: 08:00 – 20:00 (last entry 19:35)
- September 1-15: 08:00 – 19:30
- September 16-30: 08:00 – 19:00
- October 1-15: 08:00 – 18:30
- October 16-31: 08:00 – 18:00
- Good Friday: 12:00 – 17:00 · Holy Saturday: 08:30 – 16:00
Ticket price:
€20 general admission. Free for EU citizens up to 25 years old and non-EU visitors up to 18.
Free admission days:
every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month (Nov-Mar), April 18 (International Monuments Day), May 18 (International Museum Day), October 28, March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri), and the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days).
Closed:
January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25-26.
Phone:
+30 27520 28036 · Ephorate email:
Getting there:
- On foot: 857 steps from the western side (toward Arvanitia) — a comfortable 30-45 minutes
- By car: paved road to the eastern gate (direction Karathona beach)
Practical tips:
- Go early in the morning in summer — there's no shade on the steps and the sun is intense
- Wear closed, comfortable shoes — there are more steps once you're inside the fortress
- Check the last-entry time before you start climbing (usually about an hour before closing)
- Parking is available near the eastern gate
See Also
- Bourtzi — the sea fortress visible from Palamidi
- Akronafplia — the town's oldest fortress
- Arvanitia Beach — a swim to recover after the climb down
- Archaeological Museum of Nafplio — artifacts from the wider region
FAQ
How many steps does Palamidi Castle have?
857 in reality, not 999 as the legend claims. The story goes that the 1,000th step broke when Kolokotronis's horse stepped on it.
How long does a visit to Palamidi take?
Plan for 1.5-2 hours total if you climb on foot (ascent, tour, descent), or about 1 hour if you drive up.
Can I drive up to Palamidi Castle?
Yes — there's a paved road to the eastern gate, heading in the direction of Karathona beach.
Why was Kolokotronis imprisoned at Palamidi?
He was imprisoned in 1834 for 11 months on a charge of high treason, in a cell that studies place at the Miltiades bastion.
How much does the Palamidi Castle ticket cost?
General admission is €20. It's free for EU citizens up to 25 and non-EU visitors up to 18, plus there are specific free-admission days throughout the year.
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