Nafplio and Epidauros

As I mentioned in my previous post, Nafplio is becoing one of my favorite towns to visit. Walking around the old center of town has such a nice and relaxed vibe and its setting on the water is very picturesque.  Even though this is my third visit here, I'm still discovering new things.  I thank Wendy and her research for that.

Lion of Bavaria

We visited the Lion of Bavaria, which is a monument carved into the exposed rock of Palamidi Hill in what is now a neighborhood near the Palamidi Fortress.  This is a memorial to the Bavarian soldiers who died in the 1833-34 typhoid outbreak in Nafplio.  Why were there Bavarian soldiers in Nafplio?  It was because the Bavarian Prince Otto was installed as the King of Greece after the Greeks won their independence from the

Lucerne Lion Monument

Ottoman Empire.  These soldiers served as royal guards.  Otto served as King from 1832 -1862. This monument is based upon a similar lion monument in Lucerne, Switzerland which honored the memory of Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution.

Church of Agioi Pantes

Around the corner from the monument is the Church of Agioi Pantes.  This tiny church is also partially built into the rock of Palamidi Hill. Many of the Bavarian soldiers who dierd of typhoid were buried in the cemetery here until later being exhumed and moved to the crypt of the Catholic Church of Metamorphosis Tou Sotiris.  One of the unique things about this church is the use of old gravestones to build the stairway leading up to it.  In our prior trips, Mona and I drove by the street where both the church and monument are located, unaware of their existence.

After walking around and enjoying the town, we set off for a short drive to Epidauros. Here we visited the Sanctuary of Asklepios which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Asklepios was the Greek God of Medicine and many people came to worship him and seek healing for all sorts of afflictions.  We spent a lot of time touring the archaeological site which included temples, baths, athletic stadium, and even a dormitory.  The crown jewel of the site is the best preserved amphitheater of all Ancient Greece.  It is renowned for its acoustics and can seat up to 15,000.  Built in the 4th century BC, they still use it for performances during the summer months.

Ancient Amphitheater

I love that I discovered new things as well as revisited favorites.  That's why I enjoy traveling so much.