Nafpaktos

Only few places in Greece have managed to travel from prehistoric to modern times the way Nafpaktos has.  Byzantines, Ottomans, Venetians, though brief conquerors, have left their

 indelible signatures. However, the feeling of old-time neighborhoods still lingers in the air of Nafpaktos. Open doors to hospitable homes, children playing in the alleys, courtyards filled with the sweet smell of honeysuckle and jasmine, genuinely warm and welcoming people.

Walking is the best way to discover Nafpaktos. The higher you get, the bigger the surprise. From the cafes on the hill you can see the town lying beneath your feet like a dainty necklace against the backdrop of the Rio-Antirio bridge, one of the true wonders of modern bridge design which brought Nafpaktos closer to the rest of Greece.

Slightly higher, the fortress gate leads you to a place oozing with historic memories and heroic deeds. The highest part of the fortress, on top of the hill, offers a mesmerizing view. It seems as if you could open your arms and embrace Nafpaktos in its entirety.

We let our gaze rise over the sea, far beyond the horizon, where Ottomans and Europeans clashed in one of the largest naval engagements of the world history. In October 1571 , the Ottoman ships and a combined European Christian fleet - the ‘Holy League’- faced off in the waters off of Lepanto. The victory of the Holy League galleys thwarted decisively the Ottoman Turks in their plans to seize control of the Mediterranean ports and trade routes. Since then, Lepanto became synonymous with one of the most pivotal naval battles of the European history.