Mycenae & Palamidi Castle
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Port
Nafplion, Greece
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$99.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Drive inland across the Argive Plain through orange and lemon groves and past the ancient cities of Tiryns and Argos to reach Mycenae. Well-built [and] rich of gold, according to Homer in The Odyssey, Mycenae is tucked into a fold in the hills and was lost to time for centuries. This is Agamemnon's citadel, and excavations began here in 1841. Heinrich Schliemann, an entrepreneur-turned-self-styled-archaeologist who believed in the accuracy of Homer's epic poems, unearthed Mycenae's treasures.
Enter the site via a walkway lined with impenetrable cyclopean walls and pass through the Lions Gate -- Europe's oldest existing example of monumental statuary. It was here that Clytemnestra received her husband, Agamemnon, on his return from Troy.
Walk to the first shaft tomb. In 1874, Schliemann excavated the famous golden death masks now on display at the Archaeological Museum in Athens. This site affords magnificent views over the Argive.
Visit the eerie Beehive Tomb a short distance from the citadel -- also known as the Treasury of Atreus. Historians believe this could actually be the Tomb of Agamemnon. Enter the impressive grave through a 10-foot corridor and stand in its cool, dark interior, marveling at this monument to Mycenaean building skills.
Returning to Náfplion, drive to the top of the massive, fortified area known as Palamidi. Perched on a crag over 700 feet high, Palamidi has commanding views of the town, the harbor and the Argive Plain. It consists of three self-contained castles linked by vaults, corridors and secret passages. The city's symbol, the Lion of St Mark, appears over the entrances -- a reminder of the fortress' Venetian origin.
Return to the ship by coach or descend on foot the 850-step staircase that leads back down to the harbor and your ship.
Notes:
This tour involves considerable walking. Terrain includes inclines and uneven and slippery paths. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.