Acronauplia
On Gingerguide's self-guided Nafplio audio tour, Acronauplia is a stop worth about ~45 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Nafplio Nafplio guide
About Acronauplia
The ancient acropolis of Nafplio and its oldest fortress, its walls layered by Greeks, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans, high above the old town.
Acronauplia is the ancient acropolis of Nafplio, a rocky headland whose walls rise directly above the old town. Large polygonal masonry survives on its western side from at least the late fourth century BC, when Nafplio served as the port of Argos. It is the oldest fortified part of the town, its walls layered in turn by ancient Greeks, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans.
Under Frankish and Venetian rule the citadel was split into two castles, the western Greek castle, or Romeiko, and the eastern Frankish castle, or Frangiko, separated by a transverse wall. Around 1470 the Venetians extended it eastward with a third work, the Castle of the Towers, and after the Ottoman conquest of 1540 the citadel was renamed Its Kale, the inner castle. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it was in the early thirteenth century the stronghold of the Byzantine lord Leon Sgouros, who held out against the Frankish Crusaders until 1212.
Did you know? Acronauplia is the oldest fortified part of Nafplio; polygonal masonry on its western side dates back at least to the late fourth century BC, when the hill guarded the harbour serving inland Argos.
How much time do you need at Acronauplia?
Around ~45 min works well for Acronauplia — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Acronauplia?
Yes — Acronauplia made the cut as one of 15 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Nafplio. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Nafplio
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Acronauplia and read more:
Day 1 of the Nafplio in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Acronauplia
Preview the Nafplio tour free in the Gingerguide app.