Old Town Nafplion, Part 1

(Arvanitia, city beach around the corner from us 

at the end of Old Town and beneath Palamidi Fortress and Akronafplia.) 

Last November, right after Thanksgiving,

we made an emergency roof repair trip to Greece,

knowing that our roof (and interior) could not withstand another winter of rain

without some patching. 

And we arrived in the midst of a major rain storm

which meant water flowing down the steps like a waterfall

and dripping into our bedroom.

But that's not what I want to show you. 

From the ancient rock wall of Akronafplia,

where some of the stone is still Byzantine,

one can look out over the rooftops

of old town Nafplion.

The old town and the bay lie on one side 

with the tiny island of Bourtzi in the background...

...on the other side... 

the Mediterranean.

Just next to us,

the fortress of Palamidi sits atop the hillside

looking over the city and far beyond. 

The ancient entrance to the old town

(refurbished)

is the symbolic gate between the old and new towns.

A few shots of one of my favorite walks in Greece

(which you can see more of Here)

which always has a plethora of lovingly-tended altars...

as well as wild prickly pear

and bougainvillea.

The walk swings around Akronafplia

and back into old town

just in front of Bourtzi.

I took several shots of these palm trees,

their gorgeous seeds in full color.

Sadly, that same week,

I witnessed workers hacking them off.

They all now stand bare along the shore.

The walk along the water brings us to our favorite spot

for a sunset drink

looking out over the bay,

Bourtzi and the sailboats. 

Our roof fix turned out far better than we'd hoped

(a true fix rather than a patch

and new tile to replace the beautiful but water-damaged parquet wood floors.)

We're hoping it won't take us as long to return.

Friends to see, walks to take,

books to write. 

*All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen

May not be reproduced.*