Psaromachalas
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Psaromachalas, in other words, the fisherman's neighbourhood, is one of the oldest and most picturesque neighbourhoods in the city. It covers the north-western foot of the Acronauplia, above Staikopoulos Street. It was already a settlement during the end of Nauplion's Byzantine period at the start of the 13th century and was inhabited mainly by Greek merchants and fishermen; which is how it got its name. The Chapel of Aghia Sophia must have been constructed at around this time. |
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During the difficult times of the second Turkish occupation, Psaromachalas was probably the only neighbourhood inside the city walls to continue to be occupied by Greeks; most of whom were fishermen and moored their boats in the quay below the bastion of Pente Adelphia. It was for this reason that from 1779 to 1780 the only church that the Turks allowed to operate inside the walls was Aghia Sophia. |
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| oday Psaromachalas is one of the most picturesque quarters of Nauplion's old town. Climbing the characteristic steps, one can see houses from various periods, some renovated: some in ruins. From the highest road one can see a section of The Acronauplia walls.
In what is now Psaromachalas Square there was once a very important hospital for the poor, the first in Greece, a bequest of the Florentine Duke of Athens, Nerio Acciaiuoli.
With the exception of short intervals, the hospital had a long history of operation; from 1394 to the end of the 1940's, when it was demolished. The only trace left of this important hospital is the Chapel of Aghii Apostoli, which was constructed by the Venetians and was originally located inside the hospital grounds. The exact location of the Psaromachalas can be found in Section Map. |
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