Ancient Mycenau, Greece 2015 🇬🇷 – Michael and Pam's Travels

Travelled: 66 kilometres from Nafplio to Mycenae and back, Peloponnese
Visit: Fortress of Palamidi and the Citadel of Mycenae.
Stayed: Nafplio (Karathiona), beachside aire, water and toilet service, free. N37.54377, E22.82255

Greece

Napflio is a ancient port town at the top of the Argolic Gulf. Sitting beneath the towering Palamidi Fortress, it’s graced by narrow streets and laneways providing shade and atmosphere. After a swim in the refreshing waters of the Aegean, coffee and fruit we make an usually early start and arrive at the Palamidi Fortress just after 9 am. It’s already very warm and it’s obviously going to be a hot day again. The carpark at the Fortress is relatively small, but there’s room for the Hymer saving a walk.

Entry gate to the Palamidi Fortess, built predominately by the Venetians construction was completed in 1715 just in time to be captured by the Ottomans. It’s actually four seperate forts joined by a series of ramparts. Each designed to withstand attack independently.

A view of the ramparts at Palamidi Fortress.

Greece

An hour later we have had enough of the fortress and point the Hymer north for Mycenae. In the foothills of Mount Argos the Citadel of Mycenae has stood as a settlement since 6000 BC. For almost a thousand years from 2000 BC it was the seat of the power of the Mycenaen Kings. Obviously the Citadel is not in ‘as new’ condition but the Lions Gate is something to behold. We wander the site with 3 coach loads of tourists. It’s passed midday and it’s very hot in full sun and most of the older people hang near the Lions Gate as it provides the only shade. Suddenly we see a group of Koreans making their way back to their coach. It appears their selfie sticks are drooping in the heat.

The Lion's Gate at Mycenae. — The Lion’s Gate at Mycenae.

Burial Circle A, the Mycenae Kings were entombed here in shafts dug into the circles.

The Cistern, Pam and I missed the do not enter sign and went down several levels with the assistance of our iPhone torch.

Mycenae is such an interesting visit, the burial circles and the cistern are amazing. The air-conditioned museum is very popular I can tell you. We listened in to an interesting lecture on Agamemnon, the most famous of the Mycenae Kings as written by the Greek poet and philosopher, Homer (not Simpson) in his writings and the allegation he was a fictional character created by Homer. In the lower gallery a copy of Agamemnon gold death mask is on display. This caused quite a ruckus as the selfie sticks clashed. It was reminiscent of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker going at it with light sabres in Episode IV.

Agamemnon’s gold death mask, apparently there is still some controversy regarding this claim. In any case it would look nice hanging in the lounge room.

The incredibly fine detail of the artefacts given their age (1200-1300 BC) and being buried under whatever. — The incredibly fine detail of the artefacts amazed us, given their age (1200-1300 BC) and being buried under whatever for a few thousand years.

By mid-afternoon we are back on the beach in Karathiona having a late lunch and a pre-nap beer and wine. In the early evening we take the Hymer back into the port of Napflio to wander about with the locals before finding a little pizza place with wifi.

Michael and Pam

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