Nafpaktos

“Nafs” («Ναύς» meaning “ship”) and “Pignimi” («Πήγνυμι» meaning “build”) are the words that compose the name of Nafpaktos since 1104 B.C.

Nafpaktos combines harmonically the beautiful natural environment and the preservation of its traditional style. It is built amphitheatrically, at a coastal hill of the mountain assembly of Nafpaktos, across Peloponnese, between Delphi and Missolonghi.

There is a strong presence of historic and architectural monuments, such as the Venetian port and the impregnable Castle with the five zones of defence. By walking on the paved cobblestones from the port up to its Venetian castle, you have the opportunity to discover the Clock, Botsaris Tower, the house Tzavela, Asclepeion. The top of the castle will reward you with the unique view that takes your breath away, when you will gaze upon the Corinthian Gulf, previously known as the Gulf of Nafpaktos, where it took place one of the largest naval combats of history, the naval battle of Lepanto.

The city’s picturesque port is delimited by two branches of the castle, which close its entrance with two towers. Over there, they dominate the statues of Georgios Anemogiannis, famous fire ship captain of 1821, that died a martyr’s death, after an operation of burning of Turkish ships at the city port and Miguel de Cervantes, writer of Don Quixote, who was seriously injured at the Naval Battle of Lepanto (1571) incapacitating his left hand.

The incomparable beauty of the city, the enchanting beaches of the Corinthian Gulf in combination with the fairy-tale nature of Mountainous Nafpaktia, the extensive programme of events as well as the warmth of the people, make Nafpaktos the ideal destination for all the seasons of the year.

photos
To Top