The Clock Tower: Acronauplia's Best Viewpoint
Climbing the road that winds through the Acronauplia fortress, you'll come across a small white structure with a clock — a spot that's practically a required stop, not so much for the clock itself as for the view it opens up: all of Nafplio, Bourtzi, and the Argolic Gulf, spread out below you.
History
The clock was installed at Acronauplia during King Otto's reign, while Dr. Epaminondas Kotsonopoulos served as mayor (1866-1878 and 1883-1890). It was a gift from Otto's father, King Ludwig I of Bavaria.
The structure didn't survive intact to today. On May 3, 1944, German forces blew it up because it obstructed a cannon they had placed at Acronauplia — a local scholar named V. Togias, who spoke German, reportedly asked the German commander to spare it. The reply was: "War, sir. War."
Fortunately, the clock's mechanism had been saved and kept at Nafplio's town hall. The municipal secretary, Emmanuel Terzakis, wrote a poem dedicated to the clock the very day it was destroyed — it was later published in the newspaper "Syntagma" in September 1949, to mark its reopening. The town's tourism committee oversaw the reconstruction, using the salvaged mechanism. On September 14, 1949, at 5pm, the clock started working again.
Why It's Worth the Climb
Beyond the history, the Clock Tower is a natural stop on the way up to Acronauplia for one reason: the view. It's one of the most photographed sunset spots in town — Nafplio, Bourtzi and the gulf, all in one frame.
Practical Information
Location: On the road running through the Acronauplia fortress.
Getting there: Part of the same climb to Acronauplia — from Arvanitia Square, the elevator near the former Xenia hotel, or through the Old Town.
Cost: Free, no ticket required.
Best time: Sunset — bring a camera.
See Also
Who donated the Clock Tower in Acronauplia?
King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto's father, donated it to the town in the 19th century.
Why was the Clock Tower destroyed?
German forces blew it up on May 3, 1944, because it obstructed a cannon they had placed at Acronauplia.
When was it rebuilt?
On September 14, 1949, using the original mechanism that had been saved at the town hall.
Do I need a ticket to see the Clock Tower?
No, it's free — it sits on the public road through Acronauplia.
