Mycenae

Lion Gate c. 1300 B.C.

After Epidavros, the other major excursion while we stayed in Nafplio was to the ancient ruins of Mycenae.  Mycenae was a fortress city atop a hill and the capital of multiple city-states through the region.  Dating back to 1600 B.C., the Mycenaeans ruled this area for about 500 years.  Their civilization predates the Acropolis in Athens by a thousand years.

The Lion Gate and all that you pass through to enter the ancient city dates back to circa 1300 B.C.  Although not a sophisticated nor as structurally strong as the Roman arches developed later, this massive entrance has stood for over three thousand years.  

Just down the hill from the fortress is the Treasury of Atreus, a massive beehive-shaped burial chamber built into the side of the hill.  Mycenaean kings were buried in these structures along with swords, jewelry, etc., in similar

Entrance to Treasury of Atreus

fashion to the ancient pharaohs of Egypt.  Ironically, the beehive shape of the structure must have called out to actual bees because there were many swarming around the entrance and inside.  The buzzing echoed throughout the massive chamber and I was just as content to get a quick glimpse inside and then wait for everyone else outside.