Argolis
Argolis General Information
Argolis, being an important pole of attraction for the tourist
is considered to be a highly developed prefecture, with natural beauty
and gifted with extremely interesting archaeological sights.
It is located in the eastern part of the Peloponnese and has Nafplion
as capital. Its primary agricultural resources are oranges and olives,
and beaches are found in the south and east; mountains and hills
dominate the west, northeast and east.
All over Argolis, you will find numerous interesting spots of
attraction, which are scattered around, adorning the promising
landscape.
Towns & Sights
Nafplion
is a
seaport town that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of
the Argolic Gulf. The town was the first capital of modern Greece. The
fortress complex of Nafplio is extensive and imposing. The oldest
fortress of all is Akronafplia,
in the homonymous peninsula. On the opposite rocky hill rises the
famous Palamidi. Bourtzi is found in front of the harbour, in the
shallow waters, and was connected, during the old times, by chains with
the land, which is also the reason it was called Porto Cadena. All
three castles are remarkable not only for their arcaelogical importance
but also for their incredible adjustment in the place's topography.
The city itself includes many praiseworthy monuments, such as the
imposing Venetian arms depot - which is maintained intact and
accomodates the Archaelogical
museum, the Mosque in Syntagmatos square, the church of
Saint Spyridonas, famous because on the entrance of which Kapodistrias
was murdered, the Bavarian lion, and other buildings along the mole
which compose this rare architectural and urban plan whole making
Nafplio distinguish as the best preserved example of a neoclassical
city of the 19th century.
Argos
is the first formed town in Greece, as well as in Europe. It covered an
area of 1000 m² in the past and composed a large worksite in ancient
times. The emblem of the town is the head of a wolf, representing the
omnipotence of the first integrated town-state in the area of
Medirerranean since it afforded great facilities, such as the castle
Larisa and the theatre.The once historic city of Argos, is today, the
agricultural and commercial centre of the prefecture.
Among the many churches found in the prefecture of Argolis worth
visiting is the
church of Zoodohos Pighi, located in Kefalari a small
village 6 km outside Argos.
Mycenae
is situated on a small hill, on the feet of mount Euboea, between two
peaks of it and near the road leading to the Argolic gulf from North.
The hill is inhabited since the Neolithic era but it enjoys its fame
the later Copper era(1350 - 1200 B.C.). Mycenae is the most impressive
of the ancient sites in Argolidas. It was excavated in 1870 by the
German Heinrich Scliemann. His findings included a circle of Royal
tombs. Corpses found inside them were wearing golden masks, including
the famous 'Mask of Agamemnon'. These wonderful findings now reside in
the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
The famous lion gate in Mycenae stands proudly overhead as visitors
pass underneath it. Touring around the site, one can see the various
tombs, fortress and other such images. Just opposite the main site is
the stunning 'Treasury of Atreus', which is a beehove tomb dating from
the 13th century BC.
Epidaurus
is set amongst a beautifully landscaped region of pines and olive
groves. The theatre
of Epidaurus, dating from the 3rd century BC, is the most
famous and best preserved of all ancient theatres in Greece. Seating
over 13,000 in 55 tiers, it is the main trace of a sanctuary dedicated
to Asklepios, the God of healing. Every summer, there are festivals and
performances that take place in the theatre, bringing back to life the
magnificent acoustics. Among the ruins are the remains of the temples
of Asklepios, Atremis and Themis, and also the old guest house. There
is also the museum which is near to the entrance, where one can see the
various artifacts and findings that have been uncovered here.
Argolis History
Argolis was the heart of Greece from 1600 to 1100 BC under the
Mycenaeans. With their decline, the Dorians controlled the fate of the
region until the conquest of the country by the Romans.
During the Byzantine era the Argolis shared the fortune of the rest of
the Peloponnese. It was ruled by the Franks and surrendered to the
Turks in 1460, Nafplio, however, remained in Venetian hands until 1540.
Nafplion was the capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1828 to
1834, when this role passed to Athens.
From 1833 to 1899, the prefecture was part Argolidocorinthia, which
included Hydra, Spetses and Kythira. It joined Corinthia to form
Argolidocorinthia again in 1909. Forty years later, in 1949, the
prefecture was finally separated from Corinthia.
In early 1998, a flash flood carrying muddy water swept through the
valley near Argos and devastated citrus crops and other area
agriculture, including olives and other crops, and grazing areas.
Damages were several million drachmas, then still the currency of
Greece.
