VEDA WELLNESS

BOURTZI, NAFPLIO

Argolida, Greece

Offered exclusively at our Greece Retreat

It is a small fortified islet in the entrance of the gulf of Nafplio. It was fortified for the first time in the First Venetian domination period (1389-1540) by the Venetian military administrator (Proveditore) Pasqualigo, who assigned the work to the architect Antonio Gambello. Bourtzi is a typical sample of the new architectural type of castles, the so called Renaissance style, which complied with the needs of siege and new military requirements.

In 1715 the castle was occupied by the Turks and remained under their rule until 1822, when the Greeks occupied it. It was an integral part of the general fortification of the city for many centuries. In the first years after the establishment of the Modern Greek State, the castle was used as residence of executioners, who were “resented by the people of Nafplio”. In the 50’s it became a hotel, which hosted many famous personalities. Today visitors can go to Bourtzi by small boats from the harbor of Nafplio. In the summertime Greek and foreign artists give live concerts in Bourtzi.