Bourtzi Castle

What it is

Bourtzi is the castle that occupies an islet off the harbour of Nafplio. Venice built it to close the harbour entrance: work began in June 1471, with the architect Antonio Gambello, when Vittore Pasqualigo was governor of the city, who gave it its first name, Castel Pasqualigo. The Venetians also called it the “castle of the reef” or “of the sea”; the name Bourtzi took hold under Ottoman rule.

The islet lets large ships through on only one side, the south, because to the north the water is shallow. A great chain ran from Bourtzi to the Five Brothers bastion, in the lower town: pulled tight, it rose almost to the surface and no ship could enter. Hence another name for Nafplio, Porto Catena, the chain harbour. Around the islet the Venetians also built a submerged breakwater from stones that every arriving ship was obliged to unload; even today it keeps deep-draught vessels from getting close.

A long history

The fort defended the city for around 350 years. In the War of Independence it was key to the liberation of Nafplio and was badly damaged on the side facing the city. After 1833 it was the executioner's house, and he only left the islet for executions at Palamidi. In the 1930s it became a 14-room hotel with a restaurant, which ran for about 37 years and hosted international figures; later it was a restaurant and café until the mid-1990s. The Ministry of Culture finished its restoration in 2021 and it has been open to visitors since.

What you see

The fort has an elongated plan, with curved bastions at both ends and a great central tower dominating the islet, with a wide courtyard to the east and smaller ones to the west. Inside there is an exhibition room of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida and a museum shop. From the walls you have the best view of Nafplio from the sea: the old town, Akronafplia and Palamidi above.

Opening hours

• April and May: 9:00 to 18:00, every day.
• June: 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and until 20:00 at weekends and on public holidays.
• July and August: 9:00 to 21:00.
• September: 9:00 to 20:00.
• October: 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and until 18:00 at weekends and on public holidays.
• November to March: 9:00 to 17:00.

The last boat leaves 50 minutes before closing. Closed on 1 January, Orthodox Easter Sunday and 25 December.

Tickets and boat

Entry costs €7 and reduced €5; reduced applies, among others, to EU citizens over 65 from October to May. Under-25s from the EU enter free with ID or passport, as do under-18s from outside the EU. It is free for everyone on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March.

The boat to the islet is paid separately. It leaves from the harbour quay throughout the day; ask the price and frequency at the landing stage.

Getting there and accessibility

The landing stage is in the harbour, a few minutes' walk from the old town. If you come by car, the free harbour car park is next to it. The fort has a lift for people with reduced mobility up to the first floor and accessible toilets.

Pets are not allowed in the fort.

How long and when to go

With the boat trip, allow an hour. In July and August, the last hour of the afternoon is the most pleasant: you return with the city lit up. With children it works very well: the boat, the tower and the story of the harbour chain. If you prefer to see the islet from the water without landing, the kayak under the walls passes right beside it.