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The troubled history of the Peloponnese, from the first collapse of the Byzantine Empire in the early 13th century AD, to the outbreak of the Greek war of Independence in the early 19th century AD, defined the layout of Nafplio. The powerful fortress of Acronafplia and its safe port always attracted numerous aspiring conquerors.
After the period of Frankish rule, the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire dominated the city.
During the first period of Venetian rule, from 1389 to 1540 AD, Nafplio changed radically. The walls of Acronafplia were rebuilt or reinforced, the port was upgraded and a fort, nowadays called Bourtzi, was built on the rocky island that overlooks the entrance to the port. Last but not least, the Venetian engineers expanded the city against the sea, forming what we know today as the old city of Nafplio. Nafplio became a trading and military centre and was a prosperous and densely populated city.

Peloponnese is considered to be the core of the ancient Greek civilization. Sites like Mycenae, Epidaurus and Olympia are among the most famous in Greece and city states like Sparta, Argos and Corinth played a key role in the ancient Greek history.

On the other hand the later on history on the region, from the 5th to the 15th century AD, when it was a part of the Byzantine Empire is relatively less known.

The Grecopaths hiking team & the Safran Guided Tours are organizing a specialized guided tour through part of the ancient path that connects Mycenae and ancient Heraio .
This route follows the traces of an ancient road that connected the Mycenaean citadel of Mycenae with the archaeological site of Heraion.
The route comes across many points of great archaeological interest such as the well preserved Mycenae hidden bridge, the base of ancient guard room, the hidden Mycenean vaulted tomb, the sacramental beauty of the archaeological site of ancient Heraio.