Nafplion

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Coordinates: 37°34′N, 22°48′E

Nafplion (Ναύπλιο)
Coordinates	37°34′ N 22°48′ E
Country	Greece
Periphery	Peloponnese
Prefecture	Argolis
Population	13,822 source (2001)
Area	33.6 km²
Population density	502 /km²
Elevation	10 m
Postal code	211 00
Area code	2752
Licence plate code	ΑΡ
Website	nafplio.gr

Nafplion (Ναύπλιο; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a town on the Peloponnese in Greece. The town was the capital of Greece from 1829 to 1834 and is the place where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of the modern Greek state, was assassinated. Nafplion is also the capital of the prefecture of Argolis and the province of Nafplion. The population of the city is ranked second in the prefecture.

Nafplion's Coat of Arms

[edit] Names for Nafplion

The name of the town in Greek is Ναύπλιο or, and in Ancient Greek Ναύπλιον (thus the transliteration Nafplion). As is the case with many Greek names, there is more than one possible Latin transliteration. Currently, the most commonly used English spelling is Nafplion (or sometimes Nafplio like the Modern Greek way of saying it).

Many sources, especially those dealing with the ancient city, refer to it by its Latin name of Nauplion. In other languages it is known variously as Nauplia, Navplion, Nauplio, Nafplion and Anapli. These names would have been current in English during the periods of Venetian and Ottoman domination. In Italian, Nafplion is known as Napoli di Romania, the last two words referring to the ancient name ("Romania") formerly used to define those territories inhabited by adherents to the Greek Orthodox faith, and serving to distinguish the town from the other Napoli (i.e. Naples) in Italy.

View of the old part of the city of Nafplion from Palamidi castle

This picture shows the Bourtzi Castle, taken from the harbour in Nafplion and including one of the local fishing boats.

[edit] Geography

Nafplion is situated on the Argolic Gulf in the northeast Peloponnese. Most of the old town is on a peninsula jutting into the gulf; this peninsula forms a naturally protected bay that is enhanced by the addition of man-made moles.

[edit] History of Nafplion

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The area surrounding Nafplion has been inhabited since ancient times though little sign of this remains within the town. The town has been a stronghold at several times in history. The first of the visible fortification, on the Akronafplia, was built by the Byzantines. It was subsequently occupied by the French crusaders of the Principality of Achaea, then in 1377 the Venetians arrived and built the Castle of Bourtzi in the 15th century. Shortly after, the city, along with the rest of the Morea, was captured by the Ottomans. The Venetians returned in 1685, and strengthened the city by building the castle of Palamidi, which was in fact the last major construction of the Venetian empire overseas.

During the Greek War of Independence, Nafplion was a major Ottoman stronghold and was besieged for a whole year by Theodoros Kolokotronis. After its capture, because of its strong fortifications, it became the seat of the provisional governments of Greece. Kapodistrias made it the official capital of Greece in 1829.

Otto of Greece entering Náfplio in 1832, Peter von Hess, 1835.

After his assassination there in 1831 a period of anarchy followed, until the arrival of King Otto and the establishment of the new Kingdom of Greece. Nafplion remained the capital of the kingdom until 1834, when King Otto decided to move the capital to Athens.

Tourism popped up slowly in the 1960s, but not as much as other parts of Greece. Nafplion enjoys a very sunny and mild climate, even by Greek standards. Consequently it has become a popular day- or weekend road trip destination for Athenians in wintertime.

[edit] Nafplion today

Nafplion is a port, with fishing and transport ongoing, although the primary source of local employment currently is tourism, with two beaches on the other side of the peninsula from the main body of the town and a large amount of local accommodation.

Nafplion has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, churches, banks, a police station, a water tower, a post office, a junior football team, and a square (platia). There is now a railway station with daily trains from/to Athens (OSE).

Since 2003, the University of Peloponnese has opened a new faculty, the School of Fine Arts. Until 2007, a single department exists, the Department of Theatre[1]. The department of Theatre works on four pathways:

(1). Acting & Directing (2). Scenography & Costume Design (3). Contemporary Dance (4). Dramaturgy & Theatrology

[edit] Historical Population

[edit] See also

• History of Greece
• Politics of Greece

[edit] Sources and links

• Municipality of Nafplion Official Website
• Nafplio Virtual Tour
• Ναύπλιο | Τουριστικός Οδηγός
• Greece, the Rough Guide. Mark Ellingham, Marc Dubin, Natania Jansz and Joh Fisher, Published by Rough Guides 1995, ISBN 1-85828-131-8,
• GTP - Nafplion municipality
• http://www.helleniccomserve.com/streetsofnafplion.html
• Nafplion guide for visitors
• A very Short Visit To Nafplio
• Greek Travel Pages Nafplio Town