Some like beaches; I find them boring after half an hour. Some like fancy restaurants; I find the more I spend on food the less I like it, my rule of diminishing returns for restaurants. Some like to shop; I really don't need any more stuff, plus I've a long way to lug purchases to get them home. What I like is hiking to the highest point, so today we hiked up to the Palamidi fortress.
According to the signs it is 999 steps to the top but that number sounds too perfect. Anyway it's a long walk up.
According to the signs it is 999 steps to the top but that number sounds too perfect. Anyway it's a long walk up.
According to the signs it is 999 steps to the top but that number sounds too perfect. Anyway it's a long walk up.
Built by the Venetians during their second occupation, it was quickly constructed between 1711 to 1714.
Built by the Venetians during their second occupation, it was quickly constructed between 1711 to 1714.
Built by the Venetians during their second occupation, it was quickly constructed between 1711 to 1714.
Maintenance of the fortress' site, like signage and barriers, is pretty poor, which I'm finding to be a pattern at Greek historical sites, though I don't know if this is due to recent economic problems or is just the way things are (not) done. Nafplio itself looks great, and the highway between here and Athens is in great condition, so I don't know why the sites such as this and the temple and kouros in Naxos are so neglected. Even so, Greece is a wonderful place to visit and the people couldn't be nicer.
Maintenance of the fortress' site, like signage and barriers, is pretty poor, which I'm finding to be a pattern at Greek historical sites, though I don't know if this is due to recent economic problems or is just the way things are (not) done. Nafplio itself looks great, and the highway between here and Athens is in great condition, so I don't know why the sites such as this and the temple and kouros in Naxos are so neglected. Even so, Greece is a wonderful place to visit and the people couldn't be nicer.
Maintenance of the fortress' site, like signage and barriers, is pretty poor, which I'm finding to be a pattern at Greek historical sites, though I don't know if this is due to recent economic problems or is just the way things are (not) done. Nafplio itself looks great, and the highway between here and Athens is in great condition, so I don't know why the sites such as this and the temple and kouros in Naxos are so neglected. Even so, Greece is a wonderful place to visit and the people couldn't be nicer.
In the distance is the countryside north and east of the fortress and Nafplio
In the distance is the countryside north and east of the fortress and Nafplio
In the distance is the countryside north and east of the fortress and Nafplio
The fortress is divided into eight self-contained bastions and also contains a grim stone prison that is accessed through a small hole, as Paul demonstrates in the picture.
The fortress is divided into eight self-contained bastions and also contains a grim stone prison that is accessed through a small hole, as Paul demonstrates in the picture.
The fortress is divided into eight self-contained bastions and also contains a grim stone prison that is accessed through a small hole, as Paul demonstrates in the picture.
The Palmidi fortress looms over Nafplio. It's a huge rambling stone complex that covers a hilltop that's something like 220m high.
The Palmidi fortress looms over Nafplio. It's a huge rambling stone complex that covers a hilltop that's something like 220m high.
The Palmidi fortress looms over Nafplio. It's a huge rambling stone complex that covers a hilltop that's something like 220m high.
Venetians once controlled Nafplio. The Lion of Saint Mark over the door is the Venetian city symbol.
Venetians once controlled Nafplio. The Lion of Saint Mark over the door is the Venetian city symbol.
Venetians once controlled Nafplio. The Lion of Saint Mark over the door is the Venetian city symbol.