The Acronauplia

This is the ancient name with which, along with the Turkish one Itch-Kale, the acropolis of Nauplion is known. Under­neath the venetian wal1s there are traces of cyclopean or pelasgic walls, a sign of the existence of a prehistoric settlement at Nau­ρΙiοn. The way the stones have been cut shows that these walls are later than the cor­responding ones of Tiryns and Mycenae.

Until the time of the occupation of the city by the venetians the Acronauplia had two castles. The one on the East or French one, from Villehardouin's time and the one on the West, the Greek one. On the east side of the Acronauplia there lived the offi­cials and on the west side the Greek chief­citizens. When Nauplion came into Vene­tian hands (1389), the Venetians added a bastion to the eastern castle, right across Palamidi, opening thus a way to today's Arvanitia. Besides, they built on the north­ west side of the city, below the Acronau­plia, Toro's castle. On this bastion they pla­ced five guns of the same size, called the Five Brothers. The name of this area has been preserved until today.

Due to the dall1ages done to the walls during the siege of the city by Morosini (1686) he ordered the complete innovation of the eastern wall. It was then that the fort, which is still preserved, the one with the round towers, was bui1t, later called by 10cal people Morosini's bastion. The Main­land gate, at the front of both the city and the walls, was constructed at that time (1687).

On the northwest end of the Acronau­plia, there was created a hospital, at today's Psaromachalas, from the bequest of the Ma­ster of Nauplion, Nerio Adjaioli from Flo­rence (1394). This hospital was in use during both periods of the Venetian rule, when the­re was also founded the little church of Peter and Paul the Apostles, preserved until today. In the years of the Revolution it was also used as a hospital for the waπίοrs, as we learn from the German Phi1hellene doctor Ern. Treiber who served in it. Ka­podistria renewed it and later, until the be­ginning of our century, it served as the municipal hospita1.

In 1713 the prefect of the Venetian Fleet Augustine Sagredo, who added many forti­fications to Palamidi and the city, constru­cted the stone stairs that connected Pala­midi and the city. They are still in use today.

Unti1 March 1970 on the west side of the Acronauplia there was Kapodistria's army camp, which was later used as a criminal prison. Touristic  works are now taking place at the area.