06 October - 07 October 2013 Nafplion

Old friends came to visit for the weekend, a special treat. During  the afternoon we walked and talked for a very long time.
Isn't it interesting that no matter how long the time passed is since we have been with a good friend, time just dilutes, ceases to exist and one feels as if they are in this time capsule they were before.

After reaching a point that was pretty far from the house we looked at each other and laughed as we wondered if our bodies would...make it back! We stopped by the seaside, sat at a cafe by the water
and had our Greek coffee.

While walking back we marveled at the cyclamens that looked perfectly happy among the dry brush.

The gorgeous fishing boats,

Even the most incredible "windsail"boat one we had never seen before,with such a unique type of sail.

Here we are older and wiser???

Another beautiful home from the better years that is kept in a pristine shape next to the cathedral.



After our friends left we decided to go with a lovely British couple that live here part of the year, to visit one of our favorite places on the Peloponnese, Nafplion.

We crossed from the island to Galatas on the Peloponnese and drove over the mountains, passing the spectacular vistas that overlooked the Saronic Golf and all it's islands, volcanoes and sea side towns

We arrived in Nafplion and walked around it's newly renovated and paved streets of the Old town.

It is by far one of the most beautiful and romantic towns of the Eastern Peloponnese.

It was the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1823 and 1834, (after the overthrow of the Ottoman Empire).

The town's history goes back to prehistoric times, at the time that soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan war alike.

Franks, Venetians and obviously Ottoman conquerors left their mark strongly influencing it's culture.

Ancient walls and medieval castles surround it, Ottoman mosques and fountains are still

visible around the old section as well as Venetian and neoclassic buildings.

A truly mesmerizing town.

It's streets are narrow in some areas and the entire Old City has been renovated beautifully 

with stone paved streets. 

The balconies practically touch each other, would love to be here in the spring to enjoy all the blooms

that intermingle.

I just had to take a picture of this yellow Chinese electric bike!!!

The Metropolitan Church of Saint George is one of the most important and oldest churches in the city and many great events from Greek history took place here. 

It is believed to have been built in the early 16^thcentury, during the time of the first Venetian occupation of the city. After the invasion of the Ottoman Turks, the church of Saint George was the site of the reception for the victorious commander-in-chief, Francesco Morosini. 

During the second Turkish occupation, the church was once again turned into a mosque, and after the liberation of the city in 1822, Saint George became Orthodox. 

The church is built in the basilica style, with a dome and murals that must have been created during the second Venetian Occupation, around the beginning of the 18^th century, in a western style. 

In fact, the depiction of the Last Supper is a copy of the well-known composition by Leonardo Da Vinci. In 1823 the murals were re-painted by Dimitrios Vyzantions, the author of the famous “Babylon”.

Of course I had to add a touch of romance.

Here is some information on this fortress that towers over the town.

Palamidi ( is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715).

The fortress was a very large and ambitious project, but was finished within a relatively short period from 1711 until 1714. It is a typical baroque fortress based on the plans of the engineers Giaxich and Lasalle. In 1715 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks.

The bastions of the fortress were originally named after the Venetian provveditori. However, when it fell to the Ottoman Empire, the bastions were given Turkish names. Lastly, when the Greeks overthrew the Turks the bastions were renamed after Greek saints. One of the bastions, called the "Miltiades," was used as the prison cell of Theodoros Kolokotronis, a hero of the Greek Revolution.

The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 857 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand. Locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.

We headed back though the mountains. Another wonderful day.