Visiting the Ancient Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio, Greece

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: December 29, 2023

*Janice and Julius standing by a wall at the Palamidi Fortress*

The Palamidi Fortress, perched atop a 216-meter hill in Nafplio, Greece, is a remarkable example of Venetian fortification architecture, built in the early 18th century. Featuring eight well-preserved bastions, each named after Greek leaders and engineers, it played a crucial role in the Greek War of Independence, notably in the capture by Greek revolutionaries in 1822. Today, Palamidi is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views and a rich insight into Greek history and military architecture.

How do you visit Palamidi Fortress?

There are two main ways to visit Palamidi Fortress:

By Stairs: The most iconic way to reach the fortress is by climbing the famous staircase, known for its over 999 steps. This staircase starts near the old town of Nafplio and winds its way up the hill to the entrance of the fortress. It’s a physically demanding route but offers a unique experience and stunning views along the way.
By Vehicle: For those who prefer a less strenuous approach, there is a road that leads to the fortress. You can drive or take a taxi from the town center. The road route is less scenic than the staircase but much more accessible, especially for those with mobility issues or who prefer to conserve their energy for exploring the fortress itself.

With just a day to explore Nafplio, time was of the essence, so we opted to drive from Old Town Nafplio to Palamidi Fortress. The journey was brief, lasting under 10 minutes, and we easily found roadside parking upon arrival.

How do you rent a car in Nafplio, Greece?

I rented a car from Staikos Rent a Car & Travel Agency and the process to pick up the car was smooth and quick. During the check-in process, I showed the sales associate my driver’s license, passport, and gave him a credit card to pay for the car. From start to finish, the whole process took 15 minutes (10 minutes to check-in, 5 minutes for the associate to get the car).

What to see at the Palamidi Fortress?

The Palamidi Fortress consists of 8 bastions, which is a type of fortification that’s found in the corners of a fortress. Palamidi Fortress also contains a church, powder magazine, and prison.

When I first arrived, I entered through the entrance, which was remarkably intact and made of stone.

A lady standing in front of the stone entrance with a lion on top of the arch door — *Janice standing in front of the entrance to Palamidi Fortress*

Then, I climbed the steps into the Bastion of Miltiades, which was five-sided with access from the west and a deep moat on the south and east. It was used for a variety of purposes such as a prison, Governor’s building, and areas for execution.

*Bastion of Miltiades information panel*

the stone walls and entryways of Bastion of Miltiades — *Overhead view of Bastion of Miltiades*

An open rectangle in shape of a door with the walls made of stone — *The Bastion of Miltiades Door*

Next, I visited the Bastion of Leonidas, which is a small table-shaped bastion, with a large, double cistern on the north and barracks on the east. Its position was crucial for protecting the eastern side of Palamidi.

A stone block with an information panel depicting the Bastion of Leonidas in text and images — *Bastion of Leonidas Information Panel*

A maroon colored sign placed on a stone wall — *Bastion of Leonidas sign*

Afterwards, I walked to the ledge and got an incredible view of Nafplio from the fortress.

*Landscape view of Nafplio from Palamidi Fortres*s

Then, I saw the church and powder magazine building.

Church at the Palamidi Fortress — *Church*

Lastly, I went into the prison of Katalanos. The space was incredibly very small and cramped. For a minute, I thought about what it would be like to be a prisoner during that time period and I made the conclusion that I wouldn’t survive because of the lack of windows and limited space.