Port of Chains or Fortress of Bourtzi

Sunny Day and Port of Chains

After we enjoyed the views of the sea and the beach, which I described in a previous article about Greece, we went along the path along the sea, which led from the beach to the city promenade.

A pleasant stone path led through large grottoes and pedestrian tunnels in the rocks. It was nice to walk along it and breathe in the fresh sea air.

At first I was afraid that the road would not lead us into the city and we would have to return, but when we reached the very tip of the cape, which covers the bay in which the city is located, I realized that we did everything right.

We had a view of the city, the bay and the fortress in the very middle of the bay.

This is Fort Bourtzi.

This fort is a small fortress, sometimes it is even called the Fortified Tower. It is located on a small island of the same name, located in the bay near the city.

Bourtzi was built by the Venetians in the middle of the 15th century. They called it a small castle - Castelli.

Since the fortress is located on a small island directly at the entrance to the harbor, the defense of the city was carried out using heavy chains stretching from both sides of the fort to the shores of the bay. When these chains were pulled, rising above the surface of the sea, not a single enemy ship could get into Nafplion's bay. In turn, when weakened, the chains touched the seabed, leaving the passage free. That is why Nafplion was also called the Port of Chains.

According to legend, the island-fortress of Bourdzi was also the residence of the executioner, who left the island only for executions, which took place in the fortress of Palamidi, located in Nafplion. Since the end of executions, the Bourtzi fortress has remained abandoned.

In 1471, the Italian architect Antonio Gambello began to build a fort. Completed the construction of another architect - Brancheale. The fort was specially built to occupy the entire island. The main reason for building an island near Nafplion is its protection against rampaging pirates.

The entrances to the fort were located from the south and from the north. The castle itself was three stories high, all of which were connected by portable stairs. In the days of the Turks, an stone barricade was built on the island. The barricade blocked large ships from entering the port.

In 1821, Nafplion was liberated, and the fort turned into a residence. German architect Wolf Schaeffer rebuilt the fort in 1930-1970. It opened a hotel. Now festivals and various concerts are held here.

The fort looked very beautiful in the emerald waters of the bay. We sat on a bench right on the pier and looked at the beautiful local seascapes.

The sun was hot and it was so good that I wanted to stay here forever.

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