Having friends over, is always an excuse to do some sightseeing ourselves. And although this specific monument is a landmark for our little town, I have never visited it before. Not in the last nine months that I live here nor in one of the many times that I came as a visitor during my life.
But our guests wanted to see it, on this beautiful winter day and we could do nothing more than obey their wish :)
The little boat took us there in a few minutes. After all it is hardly half a kilometre (one third of a mile) away.
It lies on the entrance of the port and it was built in the 15th century to protect the town of Nafplio. The Venetians that built it, called it "castello dello scoglio", castle of the rock or "castello a mare", castle of the sea. Now it is known as Bourtzi, named after the Ottomans. You see, it has changed many owners over the centuries during its long and turbulent existence!
After the liberation of Greece from the Ottomans, in the 19th century, it had no use as a fortress and became the home of the less popular person in town. The death penalty with decapitation was still in use and the executioner lived away from the rest of the people, for obvious reasons! He was going to the town only to perform his creepy duty.
In 1931 it has found a much more charming use, it became a hotel! During the latest restoration of the monument they even recreated a room, as it used to be in that era! When it comes to Greek tourism, Nafplio has always been a leader and it still is a major destination, all year round!
A few months ago the restoration was completed and it is now open to the public. From what I have seen they have made it more luxurious than when it was a hotel! According to the ministry it is meant to have exhibition spaces and recreational areas. A rather vague description of what they have in mind but I am sure that we'll find out what their plans are, soon enough :)
The view from the top is undoubtedly breathtaking! It felt like I was on a boat made of stones, in the middle of the sea! The town of Nafplio on one side, the mountains on the other, the boats coming and going transferring tourists and the lower parts of the fortress shinning in the morning sun, they were all a beautiful sight and the photographer's joy :)
Everything looked so peaceful and calm. It is hard to relate this place to its history, all the wars, all the suffering, all the deaths that happened here. But history is moving only forwards and this monumental building, on a tiny Greek islet has many more centuries ahead of it!
All the pictures and the words are mine.
Thank you for reading and if you want to know more about me you can check out my introduction post.
Commenting, upvoting and rebloging are highly appreciated!