The beautiful town in the heart of a quaint Venetian harbour, Nafpaktos is the secret gem of the Corinthian Gulf. From 5-12 October, the city celebrates the 443th anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto, the last major naval battle in the Mediterranean fought entirely between galleys and a Christian triumph in the history of the European continent.

The Battle of Lepanto (medieval name of Nafpaktos) took place on October 7, 1571, when the allied Christian forces fought the Ottoman Turks and stopped them from taking over Western Europe. It is the bloodiest confrontation ever between Muslims and Christians with 600 ships carrying 250,000 people and 50,000 casualties.

Visitors strolling around the port during the city’s celebration events should not be surprised when they come across a statue of Miguel de Cervantes. At the age of 24, Cervantes fought with the Spaniard fleet in the Battle, during which he severely injured his left arm. On October 12, the city of Nafpaktos will host the annual historical reenactment. As Cervantes wrote “it was the most glorious moment that past times and future would ever met.”

The History Channel: The Battle of Lepanto