The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is one of Greece’s best museums for anyone interested in ancient gemstones, lapidary art and Bronze Age jewelry. Located in the historic seaside town of Nafplio on the Peloponnese peninsula, the museum preserves remarkable finds from nearby Mycenaean sites. These include necklaces of amethyst, carnelian and faience, engraved seal stones, gold ornaments and one of the world’s oldest surviving suits of bronze armor. For rockhounds, gem collectors and history enthusiasts, it offers an extraordinary look at how minerals and gemstones were crafted more than 3,000 years ago.
Key Takeaways
- The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio houses artifacts spanning the Paleolithic through the Hellenistic periods.
- Its Mycenaean collection includes Bronze Age jewelry made from amethyst, carnelian, rock crystal, glass and faience.
- Nearby archaeological sites such as Mycenae, Tiryns, Midea and Dendra supplied many of the museum’s most important discoveries.
- The museum features one of the oldest complete bronze armor suits ever discovered.
- Ancient lapidary techniques showcased in the jewelry demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship from more than 3,000 years ago.
Nafplio: Gateway to Mycenaean History
The historic seaside town of Nafplio is located on the eastern Peloponnese peninsula of Greece. Nafplio (also spelled Nafplion or Nauplio) is accessible via an easy two-hour drive south of Athens. The town is close to the famous Bronze Age acropolis of Mycenae and Tiryns. Both are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1999. The citadels are famous for the massive Cyclopean walls, tombs, and the immense collection of Mycenaean gold masks, engraved gems, and jewelry. The Mycenaean Greek civilization flourished during the last phase of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece (1600 to 1100 B.C.). Several discoveries from that period are on exhibit at the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio.
The old city of Nafplio is beautiful. It boasts narrow alleys and streets, three Venetian fortresses, sea breeze and panoramic views. It is a favorite place for tourists and Greeks alike. The town became the capital of the first Hellenic Republic in the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. The Venetian castle of Palamidi, built under Venetian rule (1685 to 1715), looms majestic over the old town.
Inside the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio
Nafplio’s Archaeological Museum is located in the heart of the old town. The massive, three-floor stone building dominates the picturesque Syntagma Square. The building dates from 1713. When Nafplio was governed by Venetian Proveditore Augustino Sagredo, it was used as the navy’s arsenal depository. For rock and gem enthusiasts, the museum stands out for its exceptional collection of ancient gemstone jewelry, engraved seal stones and evidence of sophisticated Bronze Age lapidary craftsmanship.
The museum’s extensive collections are displayed on the building’s two upper floors. Exhibits include objects from the Paleolithic Age, Neolithic times from 6,000-2800 B.C., vases and terracotta masks from the Classical period (7th century B.C.) and beautiful terracotta female figurines from the later Hellenistic period.
Among the museum’s highlights are finds from the Bronze Age Mycenaean civilization (1600-1100 B.C.). Fine-looking pottery and bronze vases fill the cases. A unique discovery and prominent display in the museum is a warrior’s bronze panoply (armor suit) from the 15th century B.C. It still has the remains of boar tusks on the helmet. It was discovered at the cemetery of Dendra, which is outside the third Mycenaean center, the well-preserved 13th century B.C. Acropolis of Midea. Excavations there brought to light elaborate jewelry and figurines, valuable discoveries that document the wealth of that era.
Other highlights include beautiful Bronze Age terracotta goddess figurines, some with raised arms, about 11 inches tall. One of them, a wheel-made divinity figurine from Midea, has bright horizontal stripes. Another one, found in a shrine at Tiryns, exhibits a prominent nose and very round eyes, bedecked with jewelry – a diadem, necklaces and bracelets, while her garment is adorned with garlands.
Bronze Age Jewelry at the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio
The Bronze-Age jewelry collection, dating from about 3,000 years ago, includes necklaces that could rival any contemporary design.
One of these necklaces was made with various shells. These shells include Luria Lurida (cowry), Glycimeris (bittersweet clams), Pinna nobilis (noble pen) and Cerithium vulgatum (sea snails). They date from 6800-3200 B.C. This necklace was discovered in the Neolithic-era Franchthi Cave, where obsidian was also found, indicating the extent of exchange networks.
Another necklace had blue faience grooved beads, graduating in size, with two engraved cylindrical beads at the end. It was discovered in a chamber tomb in Panariti, from the 16th-15th centuries B.C. The ancient faience glass was a sintered quartz material. The quartz underwent vitrification by exposure to heat and was covered by a vitreous coating. This resulted in lustrous colors of transparent blue or green glass.
Three strings of amethyst beads demonstrate the precision techniques the ancient lapidary artists employed, cutting perfectly round beads by hand. They were discovered in burial pits at the tholos (beehive) tomb at Kazarma, another Mycenaean fortress on the road from Epidavros (where the ancient theater is) to Nafplio. All the jewelry and pottery from that tomb — dating from around 1500 B.C. — is exhibited in one case, along with a photograph showing the excavated tomb.
The Kazarma Tomb Necklace and Ancient Lapidary Art
Another amazing necklace from the Kazarma tomb consists of several engraved beads, exhibited with numbered drawings denoting those engravings. The necklace includes glass beads, carnelian (#25) and amethyst (#26) beads, an amethyst seal stone with animal (#27), a carnelian seal stone with birds (#28), a glass cylinder seal with gold fittings with griffin (#29), and two amethyst cylinder seals with griffin, lion and female figure (#30) and chariot with lions (#31). An incredible amount of lapidary work in one necklace!
There are more necklaces with glass, faience, amethyst and carnelian beads (15th c. B.C.). In addition, engraved cornelian gemstones and beads are on exhibit, even some uncut rough carnelian material. A fabulous string of gold beads, possibly from a bracelet, dates from 1500-1350 B.C.
Ancient Gold Coins in the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio
Lastly, there is a wonderful numismatic hoard consisting of 92 gold stater coins of Phillip II, Alexander III, Phillip III Arrhidaeus, possibly Lysimachus, Seleucus I, and Demetrius Poliorcetes. The hoard was found inside a clay vessel in the sanctuary of Artemis from the early 3rd century B.C. Hellenistic era. The presence of coin hoards inside sanctuaries reveals the importance of coins as offerings to the gods and the sanctuaries’ function as banks during antiquity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio?
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is located in Syntagma Square in the historic Old Town of Nafplio, Greece, about a two-hour drive southwest of Athens on the Peloponnese peninsula.
What is the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio known for?
The museum is best known for its Mycenaean artifacts, including Bronze Age jewelry, engraved gemstone seal stones, ancient pottery, gold ornaments and the famous Dendra bronze armor.
What gemstones are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio?
Visitors can see jewelry featuring amethyst, carnelian, rock crystal, faience, glass and engraved seal stones, along with examples of rough carnelian used by ancient lapidary artisans.
Is the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio worth visiting for rock and gem enthusiasts?
Yes. The museum contains one of Greece’s finest collections of ancient gemstone jewelry and demonstrates how minerals were shaped into beads, seals and ornaments during the Bronze Age.
Can you visit Mycenae and the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio on the same trip?
Yes. The museum is conveniently located near the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Mycenae and Tiryns, making it an ideal stop for visitors exploring the archaeology and geology of the northeastern Peloponnese.
Final Thoughts
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio offers far more than a glimpse into ancient Greek history. Its collections reveal the remarkable skill of Bronze Age lapidary artists who transformed gemstones, minerals and precious metals into works of lasting beauty. Combined with nearby archaeological sites such as Mycenae, Tiryns and Midea, the museum provides an unforgettable experience for anyone fascinated by geology, gemstones, archaeology or the enduring craftsmanship of the ancient world.
Inspired to uncover more geological wonders and the stories behind Earth’s greatest treasures? Subscribe to Rock & Gem magazine for expert insights, collector destinations, mineral discoveries and fascinating lapidary history delivered all year long. Story by Helen Serras-Herman.
