Citadel of Tiryns: A Guide To The Mighty Mycenaean Acropolis
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Surrounded by massive Cyclopean walls, the Citadel of Tiryns feels like the setting of a period film – or the realm of a wild dream.
Yet, Ancient Tiryns was a real, thriving city, and this guide to the Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns is here to help you make the most of your time in this magical place that not many know of.
Where Is Tiryns?
Ancient Tiryns is a rocky hill in the region of Argolis – or Argolida in Modern Greek – in the Peloponnese, one of the most diverse and steeped-in-history places to explore in mainland Greece.
The Citadel of Tiryns is a few minutes’ drive from Nafplio and a 20-minute drive from the popular archaeological site of Mycenae.
Timeline of The Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns
The history of Tiryns goes back to the Neolithic age, as the area was already inhabited between the 7th and 4th millennia BC.
There is archaeological evidence that residential complexes were built around a huge circular building, which was probably used for administrative activities, in the Upper Citadel in the 3rd millennium BC.
From the 19th to the 16th century BC, the Upper Citadel on the top of the hill was flattened to build more residences.
Tiryns flourished in the Mycenaean period, especially during the 13th and 14th centuries BC, when the city was fortified with thick, mighty walls. During that period, the city stretched across the Upper Citadel, the Middle Citadel, and the Lower Citadel.
A devastating earthquake at the end of the 13th century BC was the start of the city’s decline.
Heinrich Schliemann discovered the Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns at the end of the 19th century. From then onwards, on-site archaeological excavations and research started and are still in progress in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute.
The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Ancient Tiryns have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1999.
Why Is The Citadel of Tiryns Important?
Like Mycenae, Tiryns was one of the greatest Mycenaean centers, with an important impact on the then-known world. The city set the foundations for the future grandeur of Ancient Greece in the Classical Period.
Linked to the Homeric epics, Ancient Tiryns was one of the main representatives of the Mycenaean Civilization, whose splendor influenced European art and literature.
Is The Mycenaean Citadel of Tiryns Worth Visiting?
Few archaeological sites in Greece offer as raw an experience as the Citadel of Tiryns. The Acropolis of Tiryns rises above the Peloponnese countryside, boasting some of the most impressive fortifications, walls, and tunnels, all fine examples of Cyclopean masonry.
With rarely more than a handful of visitors at a time, the Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns makes you feel as though you’ve actually time-travelled thousands of years back.
That’s no overstatement. The moment we stepped inside the Citadel of Tiryns via a tunnel-like gate, we immediately felt we were caught in a time warp and couldn’t be more excited.
Yet, this raw beauty comes with a couple of drawbacks. First of all, the archaeological site of Tiryns is a work in progress, which means that some parts are closed to the public.
During our visit, we weren’t allowed to approach some of the main sights, and this is why we will definitely visit Ancient Tiryns again, in the hopes that restoration works will be over by then.
Moreover, as the Acropolis of Tiryns isn’t among the most popular archaeological sites in Greece, there’s a great lack of signage throughout the ancient site.
But that’s what we’re here for. We’ll do our best to make your visit to the Mycenaean Citadel of Tiryns as pleasant and easy to navigate as possible.
The Myth Behind Ancient Tiryns
According to Greek mythology, Ancient Tiryns was founded by Proetus, the brother of the King of Argos, a nearby ancient city. Legend has it that Proetus built the mighty walled Tiryns with the help of mythical giants, the Cyclopes.
Tiryns is also connected to the mythical hero Hercules. It’s said that Hercules lived in Tiryns when he performed his famous labors. Some sources go so far as to say that Ancient Tiryns was Hercules’ hometown.
FAQs About Visiting The Archaeological Site of Tiryns
How long does it take to visit the Tiryns archaeological site?
The archaeological site of Tiryns is compact, and it will take you less than an hour to explore the Mycenaean Acropolis.
Is the Citadel of Tiryns accessible?
Both entries to the Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns have steps, making the site unreachable for wheelchair users.
Is there a parking lot in Tiryns?
Yes, there is ample parking space at the archaeological site of Tiryns.
Are there any toilets or other facilities in Tiryns?
Yes, there are toilets at the ticket office.
Are there any restaurants near the archaeological site of Tiryns?
No, you have to go to Nafplio, which is a mere 5-minute drive, where there are plenty of options for food and drinks.
What is the best time to visit Ancient Tiryns?
Tiryns is a year-round destination as it’s never crowded. However, the archaeological site does not have shade, so we recommend avoiding July and August when the sun is high.
What To See in Ancient Tiryns – Walking Route
We love archaeological sites in Greece but, sadly, not all of them are easy to navigate. First of all, there isn’t always a clear route to follow. Moreover, not all areas have informative signs and, when they do, sometimes these signs use difficult terminology.
Also, on-site maps often include monuments or points of interest that are no longer visible – because they’re either destroyed or covered by the modern city.
This section is meant to help you navigate any ancient site in Greece by providing a tested-by-us walking route of the most important monuments that you can actually see – rather than just imagine.
Furthermore, we replace the original scientific terms (here in brackets) with simple translations in English when necessary and provide context in cases where informative signs are scarce or non-existent.
The archaeological site of Tiryns includes the city’s fortification walls, the Upper Citadel, the Middle Citadel, and the Lower Citadel.
The main gate to the fortified city is on the eastern side of the walls, but due to restoration works, it was not accessible at the time of our visit. The great gate was monumental, similar to the famous Lion Gate of Mycenae, and a ramp led to the Mycenaean Palace atop the Upper Citadel.
We entered the Mycenaean Acropolis via the western side of the massive walls, where a small gate to the Lower Citadel and another one to the Upper and Middle Citadels are located.
Map of The Archaeological Site of Tiryns
To use our map, click on the top right corner to open it on Google Maps and then click on the star to save it to your account.
Fortification Walls
Once you’ve bought your ticket, follow the path that leads you outside the enormous fortification walls of Tiryns.
The monumental fortification was built in three phases during the 13th and 14th centuries BC. Similar to Mycenae, the impressive walls were built with such enormous rocks that were linked to the mythical Cyclopes, the mighty one-eyed creatures of Greek mythology.
Western Bastion
On the visitor’s path, you’ll see a sign directing you to two gates; one leading to the Lower Citadel and another to the Upper Citadel.
Start from the Upper Citadel by entering via the tunnel-like Western Bastion. The curved Western Bastion with the small gate is a fine example of defensive Mycenaean architecture.
Once you climb the bastion’s stairs, you’ll see a pit that was a trap against invaders.
Middle Citadel
The stairs of the West Bastion will take you to the Middle Citadel first. The Middle Citadel was probably home to workshops. From there, you have access to the Upper Citadel.
Upper Citadel
At the Upper Citadel was the Mycenaean Palace, the political, administrative, and religious center of Tiryns. The royal palace featured gateways (propylon), peristyle courtyards, an altar, a bathroom for rituals, and the King’s throne room (megaron).
The floors of the large palace complex were plastered with dolphins, and the walls were decorated with gorgeous frescoes. You can see remains of these at the Archaeological Museum of Nafplion.
Unfortunately, not much is left of the Mycenaean Palace of Ancient Tiryns, not even its inner walls. For a better understanding of what a Mycenaean Palace looked like in ancient times, plan a visit to Nestor’s Palace in Pylos, the best-preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece.
Other ruins in the Upper Citadel belonged to a much older circular building, which proves that the hill was inhabited by Ancient Greeks as early as the 3rd millennium BC.
A votive deposit called bothros was discovered in the Upper Citadel, indicating that the place had probably been turned into a temple of Hera in the 7th century BC.
Some of the archaeological finds were impressive terracotta shields and ritual masks exhibited today at the Nafplion Archaeological Museum.
However, the highlights are the galleries at the south and east slopes of the Upper Citadel. Unfortunately, we missed those parts because of restoration work. That’s definitely a reason to go back to Tiryns.
Lower Citadel
Go back and pass through the small gate you came from. Follow the visitor’s path to the other small gate that leads to the Lower Citadel.
The Lower Citadel remained unexplored for many decades. Its ruins are the remains of residential complexes and workshops. The underground accesses of the Lower Citadel, which are similar to the galleries of the Upper Citadel, are quite impressive.
Mycenaean Dam of Tiryns
Once you’ve finished exploring the archaeological site, drive or walk to the Mycenaean Dam of Tiryns. The massive 13th-century-BC dam had big rocks and a diversion channel to protect the surrounding area of Tiryns from floods.
Tiryns Archaeological Site Opening Hours
All year round from 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
During Greek Easter:
Good Friday: Noon to 5 PM
Holy Saturday: 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
On January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Greek Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th, the archaeological site of Ancient Tiryns is closed.
Tiryns Archaeological Site Entrance Fees
The full ticket price is 10 EUR. Entrance is free on the following days: March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, October 28th, and the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March.
How To Get To The Citadel of Tiryns
The easiest way to get to the archaeological site of Tiryns is by car if you’re on a road trip across the Peloponnese, or more specifically, the Argolis region. Tiryns is only a few minutes’ drive from Nafplio.
If you don’t drive, you can either take a taxi from Nafplio or hop on a KTEL Bus on the Nafplio to Argos route. Check out the bus schedule on the official KTEL Bus website. On this website, Ancient Tiryns is spelled Archaea Tirintha – the Modern Greek version of the city’s name.
Where To Stay Near Ancient Tiryns
Nafplio is the best place to stay and use as a base to explore the surrounding region, including the archaeological site of Tiryns. For hotel recommendations and everything else you need to know, read this thorough guide on what to do in Nafplio.
Things To Do Near The Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns
Tiryns is only one of many ancient sites in the region of Argolis. The archaeological site of Mycenae and the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus are the two most popular sites in the area.
Alternatively, consider visiting Argos Castle or the seaside archaeological site of Assini if you’re after a more laid-back experience with significantly fewer crowds.
Even though the Mycenaean Acropolis of Tiryns isn’t as popular as other ancient sites in the Peloponnese, it’s worth a visit for its dramatic ruins and easy access from popular places, like Nafplion or Mycenae.
We hope our guide to the Citadel of Tiryns helps you enjoy your visit to the fullest. To share all the secrets of Ancient Tiryns and other Ancient Greece hotspots with fellow archaeology and mythology lovers, don’t forget to join our dedicated Ancient Greece Facebook Group.
