Bourtzi
On Gingerguide's self-guided Nafplio audio tour, Bourtzi is a stop worth about ~30 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 castle
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Nafplio Nafplio guide
About Bourtzi
A small Venetian sea-fort on an islet in Nafplio's harbour, once anchor of the great harbour chain, later home to the town's executioners and a hotel.
Bourtzi is a small Venetian sea-fort built on the islet of Agioi Theodoroi in the middle of Nafplio's harbour, its construction begun in June 1471 under Antonio Gambello and continued by the engineer Brancaleone. First called Castel Pasqualigo, it was later Castello da Mare and Castello dello Scoglio, the castle of the rock; the name Bourtzi comes from the Ottoman-Turkish word for tower. A long chain once ran from the fort to the Five Brothers battery on the shore, sealing the harbour when raised and giving Nafplio the name Porto Cadena, the harbour of the chain.
After 1865 the island became the residence of the executioners who carried out the death sentences of the Palamidi prison, kept offshore because no one wanted to live beside them. From 1935 the fort passed to the Greek tourist organisation and operated as a hotel until the late 1960s. Today it is a monument, reached by boat from the waterfront.
Did you know? A long chain once ran from Bourtzi to the Five Brothers battery on shore; raised, it sealed the harbour and earned Nafplio the name Porto Cadena, the harbour of the chain.
How much time do you need at Bourtzi?
Around ~30 min works well for Bourtzi — 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 Bourtzi?
Yes — Bourtzi 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 Bourtzi and read more:
Day 2 of the Nafplio in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Bourtzi
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