The historic town of Monemvasia

Monemvasia is a small medieval town in Greece, located 97 km. southeast of Sparta. Situated on a small peninsula off the coast of the Peloponnese. Its name derives from the Greek "moni emvasis" which means "one entrance". The first evidence of village arise in the 6th century when the inhabitants of ancient Laconia sought refuge from the Slavic invaders, who were conquering much of Greece. To this day the city has to scale, which in year 375 was separated from the mainland during the powerful earthquake. In 1971, the mainland and the rock are connected by a bridge. Today you can reach Monemvasia walking down the sidewalk with a small length of about 200 meters.

 

During the Byzantine Empire the city became one of the biggest shopping centers of Byzantium with a population of 40,000 people. Like Gibraltar, Monemvasia once controlled seashores between medieval Western Europe and the Levant. Inside the fortified town houses and distinctly Byzantine churches are still habitable and are associated with a long, narrow paved road to the city Gerifa. Wealthy Greeks have restored once rupture ruins and turned them into holiday homes. During the 18th century it underwent known maturity, but a century and a half later is reborn thanks to tourists.

Out of season Monemvasia is almost deserted and the network of narrow side streets remained lonely. All season there is ferry or boats from Athens. Today many medieval buildings have been restored to their visitors. Some of the more flamboyant facade buildings are converted even in hotels. In ancient and romantic streets were huddled spots for relax and seafood restaurants. They  are a magnet for visitors to the historic town of Monemvasia.

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