Romantic Nafplio

Nafplio was a Sparta ally in 685 BC which resulted in it being destroyed by King of Argos who then used it only as a port of Argos. During the reign of the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantines recognized the city as a commercial centre of the Eastern Peloponnese. In 1204, the Byzantine Empire gave Peloponnese to the Franks, who built Akronafplia. The Venetian later ruled the city from 1388, given to them as a gift from the Franks. (Sounds like people are so generous back then, right.. ‘love ya loads, hey here – have a city…” – I am sure nothing is for free – not sure what were the costs of these ‘gifts’). Nafplio city was then known as Napoli di Romania which became rather ‘Italian-looking’ from all the Venetian architectural works. The Venetians reinforced the city’s two existing fortresses – and built a third castle and fortress- known now as the Bourtzi. Bourtzi is located in the middle of the harbour of Nafplio to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. From 1540 to 1686, the Turks took over. Then in 1686, back to the Venetians again under Admiral Morosini. Then it was back to the Turks again. And finally back in the hands of the Greeks in 1822. So in January 1823, Nafplio became the capital of the independent Greek state.