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While cruising round Greece with Silversea Cruises, we anchored near Monemvasia, an island simply off the east coast off the Peloponnese peninsula. I’d by no means heard of this island earlier than, so I used to be curious to take the tender to shore and test it out.
Monemvasia is linked to the mainland by a 200 meter-long strip of land known as a tombolo and is surrounded by the Myrtoan Sea. The island is sort of a sight to behold – it options a big plateau that towers round 100m (330ft) above the ocean, measuring as much as 300 m (980 ft) extensive and 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) lengthy.
Often known as the “Gibraltar of the east” Monemvasia was based all the best way again within the sixth century, making it one of many oldest continually-inhabited fortified cities in Europe. If you end up on a Greek cruise or visiting the Peloponnese, it’s undoubtedly price a day journey to this romantic and magical place.
In this Monemvasia journey information I’ll present you learn how to get there, and what there’s to do in your go to.
Where is Monemvasia, Greece?
Monemvasia is positioned within the south of Greece, simply off the mainland. More particularly, the island is positioned within the municipality of Laconia, simply east of the Peloponnese peninsula.
Monemvasia is what’s often known as a “tied island”, and is linked to the mainland through a causeway. Cars can cross this causeway through the Monemvasia Bridge.
How to Get to Monemvasia
Cruise
As I discussed beforehand, my cruise ship included Monemvasia as one of many ports of name. All I needed to do was hop on a young and I used to be whisked straight to shore. This was my first and solely time cruising, however I might fortunately do it once more, particularly in a spot like Greece. It was good to get up in a brand new place day-after-day and see a bunch of various islands with out having to fret about transportation.
Car
If you’re visiting Monemvasia from the mainland, you’ll must fly into Athens after which journey by bus or automotive. There’s no airport in Monemvasia.
Use Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars to seek out and ebook a automotive rental in Athens. Once you’ve picked up your automotive, drive alongside the Greek National Road that goes to Tripolis. Once you attain Tripolis, comply with the path to Sparti and Gythio. Before reaching Gythio, you’ll see indicators to Monemvasia. The distance between Athens and Monemvasia is about 320 km and takes roughly 4 hours.
Cars can’t enter the Castle Town, however they will drive as much as the primary gate to drop guests off.
If you’re arriving by automotive, you’ll must park your car in the primary car parking zone, which is positioned within the fashionable city of Gefyra on the mainland. You’ll see it to the appropriate hand facet of the causeway as you method.
In summertime there’s a daily shuttle bus that takes guests from the beginning of the causeway to the primary gate, and it ought to price round €1.10. Alternatively you’ll be able to cross the causeway on foot – the stroll takes about 20 minutes.
Bus
If you don’t wish to hire a automotive, there are each day KTEL buses from Athens that go to Monemvasia through Sparta or Molai. Buses depart from Kifissos KTEL Bus Station and the journey takes round 5 hours – a bit longer than the automotive journey.
Check the next web site for schedules: www.ktel-lakonias.gr.
What is the Meaning of Monemvasia?
The city’s identify derives from two Greek phrases, moni (μόνη, ‘single’) and emvasis (έμβασις, ‘approach’), and collectively they imply “city of single passage”.
A Brief History of Monemvasia
Monemvasia was based by the Byzantines within the sixth century, from the relocation of the inhabitants of Ancient Sparta, who deserted their metropolis after a Slav raid. The city was carved solely out of the bottom of a sea rock, and was invisible from the mainland, which protected it from enemy assaults. Originally the one technique to attain the island was by boat, however ultimately a pathway was created to attach it to the mainland. This is how Monemvasia will get its identify.
Due to its strategic location on essential sea routes, Monemvasia ultimately developed into an essential industrial and cultural middle. Over the years, the island grew to become the goal of many raids from pirates and Western rulers, but it surely has remained constantly inhabited till right now.
The settlement skilled important development through the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and through that point essential monuments have been constructed, together with the Church of Agia Sophia, and the Church of Elkomenos Christos.
Over the centuries Monemvasia was captured by the Venetians, the Crusaders and the Ottomans, who left their very own influences on the island. It was ultimately surrendered to the Greeks in 1821 through the War of Independence, after a four-month siege known as the Siege of Monemvasia.
Today, Monemvasia appears like an open-air museum, full of traces of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian historical past.
Things to Do in Monemvasia
Monemvasia is a small island, so it’s simple to get round on foot. The fundamental attraction right here is the fort city, which is split into two halves – the “lower town” and the “upper town”. There’s additionally a brand new, fashionable city known as Gefyra, which has been constructed reverse the rock, however there isn’t a lot to see there.
Walk by means of Monemvasia’s fundamental gate and also you’ll arrive within the decrease city – a really quaint place with cobbled streets, Byzantine church buildings, fairly flowers and slim alleyways.
Many of the buildings have been transformed into boutiques, cafes, inns, guesthouses and eating places. While you’ll be able to stroll round Monemvasia in just some minutes, it’s simple to spend hours right here simply ingesting espresso and admiring its magnificence.
The higher city lies principally in destroy, however was as soon as dwelling to grand palaces, mosques and church buildings. Today it’s uninhabited, and the one constructing that lies principally intact is the Agia Sophia Church. Still, the higher city is price visiting for its panoramic views of the ocean and the whole settlement.
Here are among the greatest issues to do in Monemvasia:
Plateia Dsami
Plateia Dsami is Monemvasia’s fundamental sq., and options two of Monemvasia’s most notable buildings – the Muslim Mosque and Elkomenos Christos Church. The sq. is surrounded by cafes and eating places, and is the proper place to whereas away a day.
The Archaeological Museum of Monemvasia
The Archeological Museum is housed contained in the well-preserved sixteenth century Muslim Mosque. It options a big array of artefacts which were gathered from Monemvasia and the encompassing space. On show you’ll see door frames and elements of the city’s crumbled buildings, in addition to ceramics and pottery.
Elkomenos Christos (Church of Christ in Chains)
A spotlight of the decrease city is Elkomenos Christos – a small Byzantine church constructed in 1697. The church is devoted to Jesus Christ, who was lead chained to Crucifixion. Notable options are the attractive bell tower, which was constructed within the 18th century, and the marble iconostasis, which was created in 1801 by the Tinian artist Yorgios Kaparias.
Over the years Elkomenos Christos was regularly broken and raided throughout invasions. Many of the icons contained in the church have been stolen or moved some place else, though you’ll be able to nonetheless see a number of uncommon icons on show.
Hike to the Upper Town & Acropolis of Monemvasia
If you don’t thoughts the train, climb up the steep, zigzag walkway to achieve the uninhabited higher a part of city. This half was as soon as dwelling to Venetian aristocracy and a whole lot of lovely mansions. Today they’re in ruins, but it surely’s nonetheless price visiting for the attractive panoramic views of Monemvasia and the Myrtoan Sea.
Church of Agia Sophia
A spotlight of the higher city is the Church of Agia Sophia, a Byzantine church that was initially devoted to Panagia Hodegetria. The church occupies a wide ranging location on the sting of a sheer cliff, and is among the most photographed spots in Monemvasia.
The Venetians used it as a Catholic church devoted to Madonna, whereas the Ottomans transformed it right into a mosque. It was restored to a Christian place of worship within the Thirties after Greece gained independence.
Portello Beach Swimming Area
Greek summers can get fairly scorching, so should you fancy a dip, pay a go to to the Portobello Beach swimming space. It’s not technically a seaside – extra of a showering platform – however there’s a set of stairs that lead into the ocean. You’ll usually see locals and vacationers swimming right here to chill off within the noon solar.
Panagia Church
A second sq. – Chrysafitissa Square – is dominated by the Church of Panagia, which was constructed within the seventeenth century through the first Turkish occupation. This whitewashed church has a dome-shaped roof and remains to be in operation to at the present time.
Monemvasia Lighthouse
The Lighthouse of Monemvasia will be reached by means of a small passageway on the far finish of the sq.. The views from listed here are breathtaking and it’s a great place to observe the sundown or dawn. Built in 1896, the lighthouse measures 6.5 meters in peak and includes a sq. stone tower with a lantern connected to a 1-story stone keeper’s home. It was briefly broken throughout World War II, however was ultimately restored and resumed operation in 1945. If you wish to be taught extra about Monemvasia Lighthouse, there’s a small exhibition in the home reverse the lighthouse that includes pictures and data.
Yiannis Ritsos House
Yiannis Ritsos was a well-known Greek poet and an energetic member of the Greek Resistance throughout World War II. His home, which is positioned in Monemvasia, is being changed into a municipal museum centered on his life story and his reference to Monemvasia.
Drink Malvasia Wine
During the Byzantine and Venetian intervals, one in all Monemvasia’s most well-known commodities was wine, or ‘oino’ in Greek. The vineyards have been positioned on the mainland, whereas fermentation and storage was dealt with on the island. The Venetian’s usually referred to Monemvasia as “Malvasia” on maps, which is how Malvasia wine received its identify.
Wine manufacturing on the island began across the thirteenth century and continued for about 300 years till Turks invaded and banned the custom. However, the Venetians cherished this candy wine a lot that they started producing it in different areas, and malvasia wine manufacturing unfold to numerous locations throughout the continent, together with Crete, Italy, Spain and the Canary Islands.
In 1997 a gentleman known as George Tsibidis established Monemvasia Wines with the purpose of restoring the manufacturing of Malvasia wine at its birthplace. The vineyard is positioned round 10 Km away from the Castle of Monemvasia and includes a tasting room the place guests can attempt a glass of Malvasia wine. If you don’t handle to make it to the vineyard, you can too attempt malvasia at Byron’s Wine Tasting Bar within the fort city.
Monemvasia Hotels
I’d undoubtedly suggest reserving a keep within the previous fort city should you can afford it. The decrease city is extremely fairly with historic church buildings, cute cafes and exquisite sea views. Here are some good choices on your keep:
- Moni Emvasis Luxury Suites
- Likinia Hotel
- Lazareto Hotel
- Hotel Byzantino Monemvasia
- Malvasia Traditional Hotel
- House within the Castle
If you’re touring on a funds , you’ll discover extra reasonably priced lodging choices within the new city. Check out these inns:
- Aktaion Hotel
- Filoxenia Hotel Monemvasia
- The Flower of Monemvasia
Where to Eat in Monemvasia Greece
Oinomelo
Matoula Restaurant
Voltes
Enetiko Cafe & Cocktail Bar –
Emvasis Cafe
Chrisovuolo Cafe Restaurant Bar
Vasythfairo Bar
Kapheneio
Peinakothḗkē
How Many Days do You Need in Monemvasia
Monemvasia is small, and you may simply discover each the higher and decrease cities of Monemvasia in in the future. However, the sheer magnificence and romantic nature of this place means you might wish to spend an evening or two right here.
Is Monemvasia, Greece, Worth Visiting?
Yes, Monemvasia is beautiful! It takes some time to get there although from Athens, so I’d recommend you propose to remain there for the night time, or discover extra of the Laconia area. If you occur to be taking a Greek cruise that stops at Monemvasia, undoubtedly take the tender to Monemvasia and spend a day wandering across the previous Castle Town. It’s extremely fairly and picturesque, and could be good for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
For extra Greece inspiration, take a look at my Greece journey information and this common Mykonos and Santorini itinerary.