Above the old town of Nafplio, on a narrow rocky promontory, stands the ancient fortress of Akronafplia. The fortress is known also under the name CI Calais, which she received in the period of Ottoman domination (in Turkish - "inner castle"). This building is the oldest of three surviving castles of Nafplio.

During archaeological excavations of this area were found traces of settlements from the Neolithic. Some fragments of the walls of the fortress Dating from the 4th century BC.e. For many centuries the territory is continuously changed its owners (the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, Turks), each of which made their additions to the defenses. The appearance of Akronafplia, as we see it today, and most of the remaining buildings inside the fortress were built by the Venetians in the 14th and 15th century on the ruins of more ancient buildings. In 1829 under the leadership of Ioannis Kapodistrias (the first President of independent Greece in the years 1827-1831) on the territory of the fortress were built military hospital and Church. During the reign of George I, the fortress was turned into a military prison (later the prison was used for detention civil criminals). In the 1970s, the prison and other buildings were destroyed and built all-Suite hotel maps of Xenia Palace.

The fortress is well preserved to our times. And today over the gate you can see the beautiful bas-relief depicting the famous Venetian symbol of the Lion of St. Mark. Located near the ancient Acropolis. Now here is the symbol of the city – the clock tower.

The fortress of Akronafplia is an ancient monumental building, which is very interesting and popular tourist attraction.