By Nicolas Bard

Monemvasia (Monemvasia or Monemvasia) known in the Franks as Malvazia is a small but highly historic city of Laconia, which stands out for its medieval color, special architecture and imposing rock that dominates the area. Monemvasia is associated with the mainland through a naturally formed neck, totaling 400 meters. From a geophysical point of view it is a thobol. In 1890 a small piece of the natural thobol was cut to build an artificial bridge to cross ships. The rescued buildings and structures in the Castle include defensive constructions of the outer castle, and many historic and beautiful Byzantine churches.

Its name is a complex word, and comes from the two Greek words “alone” and “beach”. Many of the streets are narrow and suitable for pedestrians only. The Gulf of Old Monemvasia is located in the north. The nickname of Monemvasia is “Gibraltar of the East”, because it happens to be identical to the Gibraltar rock! Entering the city, the main road with the Byzantine cobblestone leads to the central square, where the old cannon and the church of Elkommenos Christ is located with the picturesque and multi -photographed bell tower.
The poet Yiannis Ritsos came from Monemvasia, where his tomb is today. In the church of Agios Nikolaos, the poet G. Ritsos attended the courses of the Primary School and the three -year Greek School (School) from 1914 to 1921.

Monemvasia is built on a limestone rock on the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, about 20 nautical miles from Cape Maleas. The rock is 1.5 kilometers long, a maximum width of 600 meters and the height reaches 198.5 meters. Around the cliffs there is a narrow lane of land. The top of the rock is relatively smooth and inclined. Although not described as an island by ancient travelers such as Strabo and Pausanias, by their descriptions we understand that it was similar to today. The geological changes in the last three millennia have been small and were mainly sinking or lifting land, such as those caused by the powerful earthquake of 365.

Monemvasia

Today Monemvasia is connected to land with a bridge, which has been built on the natural thobol (the natural extension of the continental Peloponnese) and in which there is an opening to pass boats. At the top of the rock is the upper town and the lower town is located on the southeast side of the rock.
The upper city of Monemvasia is no longer inhabited, as it was abandoned after the Second Venetian occupation. The entrance to the upper city is done through a fortified gate to which a fortified helical trail rises from the Lower Town. A second entrance was in the past on the north side, but was sealed during the Turkish occupation. In the upper city was the Acropolis of Monemvasia, a rectangular fort with four towers, built in the 6th century, houses and public buildings, such as churches, caster and administrative buildings. Among them stands the church of Hagia Sophia. The arrangement of the settlement is no longer distinct, but it seems to have two main parallel roads on the East -West axis.

The lower city is located beneath the southern wall of the upper city and is surrounded by three sides (East, South and West). The entrance is from the west gate, which is connected by road to the bridge. This road continues inside the city and is the main street of the Lower Town, which was known as the middle street in the Byzantine period. It was and still constitutes the market, along which many shops are located. This road intersects with the road descending from the upper city and leads to the gate on the sea walls, known as Portello. At the point where these two roads intersect is the Square of Elkomenos Christ, where the Metropolitan Temple, the former Mosque and the Episcopal Palace is located. In the 19th century two more squares were created, the Great and the Little Tapa. The rest of the streets of the Lower Town are narrow, picturesque cobbled streets, sometimes covered with vaulted constructions known as “roads”, on which they could continue housing sections.

Like many Byzantine castles, Monemvasia is quite dense, with the houses very close to each other. Most of them have three levels, with their own sparse and tanks, as well as a kitchen, a bathroom and a fireplace. Due to the lack of space within the castle, there were no arable land and large gardens. Jean-Batist Bori de Saint-Vensan visiting Monemvasia in the distant 1829, pointed out that the houses “may have small walled gardens, with only one almond tree”!
Walking on the cobbled streets of the settlement you will also see many tufted bougainvilleas, which in combination with stone cobbled streets and picturesque lanterns form a true postcard. Wherever you look, either to the walls of the upper city, or to the sea walls and historic buildings, you will find many graphic spots to take the most beautiful photos for Instagram. The locals love their place very much and have taken care not to lose its color and special identity. And while now you can find all the modern amenities there, the journey to Monemvasia, no matter how it sounds, is a true journey through time and an unforgettable travel experience.

Even in the winter, when the rebel sea beats the imposing walls and the few lights of the settlement, which then has half the world than in the summer, they give signs of life to the magnificent and eerie rock, the charm that the place exudes is magical and brings to life. A true painting that its colors are so beautiful and different all seasons, that make Monemvasia not only one of the most beautiful parts of the Peloponnese, but of the whole of Greece.