The Lion of Bavaria

The Lion of Bavaria is one of those places in Nafplio that many visitors hear about only after arriving. It sits in the Pronoia neighborhood, a calm area just a short walk from the center, and it often surprises people when they come across it for the first time. It’s a simple, peaceful spot, but it carries an important chapter of the city’s history.

The monument was created in the 1800s to honor Bavarian soldiers who came to Greece during the early years of the newly formed Greek state. These soldiers arrived with King Otto, and many of them died in Nafplio during a typhus outbreak. To remember them, King Ludwig I of Bavaria ordered a memorial to be made, and the result was the large stone lion that still stands today. The sculptor, Christian Siegel, shaped the lion in a calm, resting pose, which gives the monument a quiet and respectful feeling.

What many travelers appreciate about this place is how different it is from the more famous sites in Nafplio. There are no crowds, no ticket booths, and no noise. The lion is set against a natural rock wall with a small park in front of it, and you can sit for a moment on one of the benches and take in the surroundings. It’s the kind of spot that gives you a sense of everyday Nafplio rather than the busy tourist areas.

For anyone exploring the city, the Lion of Bavaria is worth adding to the list - not because it’s grand or dramatic, but because it tells a real story from Nafplio’s past. It’s an easy walk, it doesn’t take long to visit, and it gives you a different view of the city’s history and how it shaped the Nafplio we see today.