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Palamidi Fortress
Rising above the city is the fortress of Palamidi.
Standing on a 600 foot hill, the fortress has a commanding view of the area. The fort was built during 1711-14 when this area of Greece was under the control of Venice. We don't normally think, in the U.S., of Venice having an empire, but they did.
It is named after Palamedes, who, according to legend, was from Nafplio and killed at Troy.
During the Greek War of Independence in 1822, the Greek liberation forces under the command of Kolokotronis took it.
After independence, Kolokotronis got into a dispute with new government, kidnapped some members of the new parliament and was in tern jailed in the very fort he had liberated.
There are seven separate defensible areas or bastions. Note the ability to dump on those trying to enter.
A lot of rocks. And built in only three years, apparently.
A lot more rocks inside.
Kolokotronis was imprisoned in this bastion.
It's difficult to show the layout in any one image as it is very intricate in plan.
Today it can feel peaceful, but the fort was involved in many conflicts.
Looking west from near the entrance gate.
A nice glow on the fort from the setting sun.
The famous stairway up from the city. Said to have 999 steps, but who can count that high when you are huffing and puffing.
(Actually, the number is more like 823.)
You can drive up to the top also.
Detail of the steps. Notice the people.