Virtual Reward Virtual Cache
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This virtual cache will bring you to Nafplio, a nice small town on the Peloponnese.
Nafplio – The First Capital of Greece
Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece. Most of the old town is on a peninsula jutting into the gulf. This peninsula forms a naturally protected bay. The water castle of Bourtzi is located in the middle of the harbour of Nafplio. The Venetians completed its fortification in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. The Greeks regained it from the Turks on June 18, 1822, from where they assisted in the siege of Nafplio. Until 1865 it served as a fortress. It was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle of Palamidi. From 1930 to 1970, it served as a hotel. Since then, it is mainly a tourist attraction hosting occasionally parts of the Summer Music Festival in June.
Short history of Nafplio
The area surrounding Nafplio has been inhabited since ancient times, but few signs of this, aside from the walls of the Acronafplia are visible. The Acronafplia has walls dating from pre-classical times. Subsequently, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks added to the fortifications. Nafplio was taken in 1212 by French crusaders of the Principality of Achaea. It became part of the lordship of Argos and Nafplia, which in 1388 was sold to the Republic of Venice. During the subsequent 150 years, the lower city was expanded and fortified, and new fortifications added to Acronauplia. Venetian and Ottoman rule The city surrendered to the Ottomans in 1540, who renamed it Mora Yenişehri and established it as the seat of a sanjak. The Venetians retook Nafplio in 1685 and made it the capital of their ‘Kingdom of the Morea’. The city was strengthened by building the castle of Palamidi, which was in fact the last major construction of the Venetian empire overseas. However, only 80 soldiers were assigned to defend the city and it was easily retaken by the Ottomans in 1715. Palamidi is located on a hill north of the old town. During the Greek War of Independence, it played a major role. It was captured by Staikos Staikopoulos in November 1822.
19th century
During the Greek War of Independence, Nafplio was a major Ottoman stronghold and was besieged for more than a year. The town finally surrendered on account of forced starvation. After its capture, because of its strong fortifications, it became the seat of the provisional government of Greece. Count Ioannis Kapodistrias, first head of state of newly liberated Greece, set foot on the Greek mainland for the first time in Nafplio on 7 January 1828 and made it the official capital of Greece in 1829. He was assassinated on 9 October 1831 by members of the Mavromichalis family (from Mani), on the steps of the church of Saint Spyridon in Nafplio. After his assassination, a period of anarchy followed, until the arrival of King Otto and the establishment of the new Kingdom of Greece. Nafplio remained the capital of the kingdom until 1834, when King Otto decided to move the capital to Athens.
20th and 21st centuries
Tourism emerged slowly in the 1960s, but not to the same degree as some other Greek areas. Nevertheless, it tends to attract a number of tourists from all over the world and the European countries in particular. Nafplio enjoys a very sunny and mild climate, even by Greek standards, and as a consequence has become a popular day or weekend road-trip destination for Athenians in wintertime. Nafplio is a port, with fishing and transport ongoing, although the primary source of local employment currently is tourism, with two beaches on the other side of the peninsula from the main body of the town and a large amount of local accommodation.
See for more information: (visit link)
Cache description
This virtual cache will bring you to the centre of the old town of Nafplio. But first you have to pass by in a short walk (20-30 minutes) four different statues of important people, who played a very important role during the War of Independence (1821-1829), the first and the third statue and after the War of Independence, the second and the last statue.
Park your car at the car park just out of the city on the coordinates above this page. When you leave the car park go straight and walk into the street with the trees to waypoint 1
Question 1: What kind of statue is this?
Turn back and walk to the second statue nearby on waypoint 2
Question 2: What has this man in his left hand?
Go back in the direction of the car park and turn left to go to the third statue on waypoint 3
Question 3 Is this statue of a man or a woman?
Go left into Emm. Sofroni street to go to the last statue on waypoint 4
Question 4 Is this man wearing European or Greek clothes?
From this statue you go left into the Vas. Konstantinos street. This street is the main street full of shops and bougainvillea above the street. At the end of the street is the main square called Syntagmatos square, which means Constitution square. In front of you, you will see the Archeological Museum. Nearby you will find a building where the first Parliament was housed.
Question 5 What kind of building do you think that it was during the Ottoman Empire?
There is a sign on the wall. Make a picture of this sign. Only the sign, not the building!
To log this cache you have to email me the five answers of the questions about the statues and the building. Also you have to make a picture of the sign on the building. Any other pictures will be appreciated (no spoilers!)
It isn’t necessary to wait for my answer, but you may log immediately.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on (visit link)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Η ΒΟΥΛΗ zrnaf cneyvnzrag