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Going back down to the ancient harbour was a much more relaxed event! The medieval harbour was mainly built in 1000 BC. The Venetians extended the embattlements and created a larger castle running almost from the fortified port to the top of a large hill 200 meters above the town. History drips from the stones. In 1571 a combined Christian fleet here defeated the Turks halting the further western expansion of the vast Turkish Empire. 



At Navpaktos there is never a lack of fresh spring water from the high hills that surround the area. As we walked around numerous springs poured forth from stone surrounds. In high summer it is a cool haven. The harbour is extremely attractive as are the castle ramparts and parts of the older town as they cling to the upper hill. Other areas have the usual typical concrete urban spread.

Back at the harbour side we watched a fisherman sort the catch from his net. He had tiger prawns, cuttlefish, and a dangerous weaver fish as well as several larger fish.