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Near the most southeastern point of
Peloponnese, a small island is rising from the waters; a
dry strip of land connects it with the mainland, with
the bridge. This is the name of the new town that
extends along the shore, across the fortress of
Monemvasia. At the Castle town of Monemvasia with the
one and only entrance (Moni- Envasia) (Single Entrance),
you live in a dream. This is the place where time has
stopped and the Middle Age, the Byzantine era co-exist
with the present. Along the narrow cobblestone pathways,
the two stone story aristocratic residence and churches
of the Byzantine era make their presence perceptible.
The New town is connected with the old castle town, with
a single strip of land. This 500 meter long road, leads
directly to the gate of the fortress. Once entering the
castle we find ourselves in another era, the era when
the Normans first attempted to conquer this fortress,
during 1147 without success. But during 1249 it was
conquered by Gulielm Bileandrouino. After a siege, which
lasted for three years, it was conquered again on behalf
of the Byzantine Empire.During the year 1460, ownership
was transferred to the Pope and after that it was
occupied by the Venetians until 1550. During 1715 it is
conquered by the Ottoman Empire and was finally
liberated at 1823.
Within the Fortress there are almost 40 churches. The
church of Jesus Elkomenous, the church of the Agia Sofia
(The same as that of Constantinopolis) , the church of
Agia Anna, and the church of "Xrisafitissas" Virgin Mary
are some of the worthnote in the Fortress.Many of the
stone-built homes, which today operate as rooms to let,
form tunnels, which cross with staircases and centuries
old plantation, in a magical view accessible to the
tourist via land or sea. Having Monemvasia as a base it
is possible to take daily excursions to Mistra (1 hour),
Areopolis (1,5 hours), Mani (1,5 Hours), Diros Caves
(1,5 Hours), Neapoli (1 Hour), Elafonissos (1 Hour) |
