A visit to the Archaeological Museum in Nafplio presents a glimpse into the fascinating cultures and history of Argolis, a southern region of mainland Greece. Spot displays of ancient artifacts that date from the prehistoric to late antiquity periods. Discover the history of nearby excavation sites such as Asini, Epidavros and Tiryns.
The museum’s exhibits spread over two floors of an impressive 18th-century Venetian house. The ground floor focuses on the prehistoric periods and the second floor covers artifacts from the Iron Age and onward. All exhibits have signs in English and Greek, which make it easy to understand what you are looking at. There’s also an introductory video in English that explains where the objects come from. This is ideal for visitors that plan to visit the archaeological sites close to Nafplio.
Highlights of the museum include findings from the village of Dendra. Look for the Dendra panoply, which is a type of bronze-plated body armour from the Mycenaean era. Find displays of pottery from the Middle Helladic village of Assini. Look for the preserved skeleton of a Mycenaean baby, displayed in a small tomb.
Other notable exhibits include handmade Neolithic ceramics, Cycladic figurines made from marble, stone stamps and bone jewellery. Don’t miss the artifacts found at the Fragthi cave, situated in the region of Erminoda. They provide insight into a transition from a hunter-gatherer culture to a productive economy. Check out the presentation of a Pyrgouthi, a 6th-century B.C. homestead commonly found in the Berbati region.
The Archaeological Museum sits on the west side of Syntagma Square, in the centre of Nafplio’s Old Town. After visiting the museum, check out the Venetian-style houses situated around Syntagma Square. Alternatively, sit at one of the outdoor terraces and enjoy people-watching. For those travelling to Nafplio by car there are ample parking spaces at Nafplio’s port.
The museum is open daily, except for Monday, and there is an admission fee.
