Greece 2: Nafplio

 

Nafplio is a coastal city in the Argolid, population about 35,000.  

According to Wikipedia the city has also been known as Nauplia, Navplion, Naupliē, Náfplion, Anáplion, and Anáplia. I won't mention this sort of thing again, but it seems to be common because places in Greece have been occupied for a long time by people who spoke different languages.  

A few times I asked one of our guides how to pronounce a place name and they were quite casual about it, even (as far as I can tell) changing pronunciation from time to time.

Down by the water Nafplio is a modern town, but up closer to the castle you have streets barely wide enough for one car.  

 

The road in the picture leads to our hotel, which occupied a  seventeenth-century building.  Before you reach it you pass a church with a plaque commemorating Ioannis Kapodistria, the first head of independent Greece, who was assassinated there in 1831.  I will mention that event again when we reach Areopoli. 

 Nafplio has a terrific archaeological museum.  Also, let's not forget the important stuff: there is really good gelato.

 

Next stop: Monemvasia

Suit of Armor, Mycenaen Culture