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Introducing Nafpaktos
West of Galaxidi, the coastal highway winds in and out of a number of seaside towns and villages, including the picturesque Monastiraki, 12km east of the bustling market town of Nafpaktos. Opposite the village of Spilia, look for Trizonia, the only inhabited island in the Gulf of Corinth.
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Nafpaktos spreads out from a handsome circular-walled harbour, dotted with plane trees, trendy cafés, a good swimming beach (Psani) and a well-preserved fortress and Venetian castle, the latter protected by a seriesof terraced stone walls built by a succession of conquerors (Doric, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Turk). Nafpaktos was known as Lepanto in medieval times, and it was here on 7 October 1571 that the naval battle of Lepanto took place between the Ottoman Empire and the combined navies of the Vatican, Spain and Venice. The overwhelming victory over the Turks temporarily ended their naval domination of the Mediterranean. Look for a small bronze statue of battle hero Miguel de Cervantes, below the harbour wall.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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