By Nicolas Bard

If you are a lovers of religious and pilgrimage tourism, then Monemvasia is the right destination for you! Why? On the historic rock of Malvazia there are more than 15 historical churches and temples, each with its own unique history and with special architecture. The picturesque cobbled streets always lead to the door of a church, while the domes “sprout” between the magnificent medieval mansions, which adorn the lower city from side to side. So let’s look at some of the temples worth a visit if you are in Monemvasia.

The church of Hagia Sophia in the upper city, near the rim of the cliff, is perhaps the most iconic temple of Monemvasia. The church is dedicated to the wisdom of God, and dates back to the Byzantine times, and in the prevailing version it was built in the 12th century. It is a registered stroke with a dome. In fact, it has been identified with the Temple of Odigitria, which refers to many sources. The main temple is 14 by 14 meters and the dome has a diameter of 7 meters, with a total of 16 windows. The splint is two -storey. In the past the temple had a rich sculpture decoration. Today, sections of frescoes, such as two Archangels in the narthex, are preserved by the life of St. Nicholas in the northern intention, and Christ as “Old Days” in the sanctuary. After the completion of the temple, an external facade was added to the southern facade, and during the Venetian times a two -storey exterior was added to the western facade. During the 1st Turkish occupation the temple was converted into a mosque and the frescoes were whitewashed.

Monemvasia

The church of Christ Elkomenos in the central square of the Lower Town is the Metropolitan Temple of Monemvasia. Today the temple is in the form of a three -aisled basilica with a dome. The middle aisle is elevated and is separated by the other two with pillars. The bell tower is separate from the temple, in its northwest. The temple was originally built in the 6th century AD. And since then it has undergone a series of remodels. The central arch is semicircular and has an internal synth, indicating that the temple dates back to the Early Christian era. Marble members of that time are incorporated into the temple. There is a second phase of construction in the 11th – 12th century, as shown by the sculptures above the temple port. According to the inscription, building work was carried out, while another inscription above the western door states that work was completed in 1697, which probably concerned the construction of the dome and the narthex. The temple does not seem to have been frescoes. Inside, images were kept, such as the icon of the Elkomenos that was transferred to Constantinople by Isaac II Angelos in the 12th century, the image of the 14th century Christ Crucifixion and several post -Byzantine icons.
Our Lady of Myrtidiotissa, also known as Our Lady of Cretan, is located north of the Temple of Elkomenos and was built during the period of the Second Venetian occupation, in a district where Cretites settled. It is a one -room basilica with a dome. It has a large central arch and the intention and the diagonal are opened as niches on the east wall. The facade and the dome are built of limestone, while the rest of the church of the arches. The facade features decorative elements with Italian effects, such as the round skylight and the cornices and the decorated pediments with geometric and plant patterns.
Our Lady of Chrysafitissa is located near the sea wall and the homonymous square of Chrysafitissa. It has a large dome and a narrow splint on the western facade. The temple was built during the First Turkish occupation and has many Muslim effects. The temple is coated internally.
The church of Agios Nikolaos is located northeast of Our Lady of Chrysafitissa. It is a three -aisled basilica with a dome, with the aisles separated by pillars. The western facade preserves an inscription, which states that the temple was built by Andrea Likinio in 1703. Both the decoration and the construction have western effects.
The church of St. Anthony, northeast of the Temple of Elkomenos, dates back to the Byzantine times, but its present form is dated to the Second Venetian occupation. It is a one -room arched temple, with two blind arches saved on the north wall. Inside, worn frescoes are preserved, such as a hierarch and two saints holding a cross in the northwestern arches, dating from the late 13th or 14th century.
The church of St. Spyridon is double and dates back to the Second Venetian occupation. Located beneath the gate of the upper city.
The church of Agia Paraskevi is a small chapel on the northwestern side of the Temple of Elkomenos. It is one -storey and domed.
St. Anna the Catholic is a small one -room church on the main street of Monemvasia. It has a peculiar space on its north side. Based on its morphological characteristics it was erected during the period of the Second Venetian occupation.
St. Anna of Malta is a three -aisled basilica of the Second Venetian rule, whose east side has been worn.
Finally, in Monemvasia the church of the Holy Apostles (a small cave temple with traces of frescoes) and the ruined temples of Agia Anna, Saints Fourteena, St. John and Our Lady, Evangelistria, Katsi Katharios and a Little Church, are preserved. Walls just in 1974! It is understood, the religious ornaments that adorn this medieval castle town give another air to the settlement and compose the image of a iconic religious and historical destination.