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Whereas 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 related 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 kind 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.
Sometimes called 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 positively price a day journey to this romantic and magical place.
On this Monemvasia journey information I’ll present you the best way to get there, and what there’s to do in your go to.
The place is Monemvasia, Greece?
Monemvasia is positioned within the south of Greece, simply off the mainland. Extra particularly, the island is positioned within the municipality of Laconia, simply east of the Peloponnese peninsula.
Monemvasia is what’s generally known as a “tied island”, and is linked to the mainland by way of a causeway. Vehicles can cross this causeway by way of the Monemvasia Bridge.
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’d fortunately do it once more, particularly in a spot like Greece. It was good to get up in a brand new place on daily basis and see a bunch of various islands with out having to fret about transportation.
Automobile
In the event you’re visiting Monemvasia from the mainland, you’ll must fly into Athens after which journey by bus or automobile. There’s no airport in Monemvasia.
Use Rentalcars.com or Uncover Vehicles to search out and e book a automobile rental in Athens. When you’ve picked up your automobile, drive alongside the Greek Nationwide Street that goes to Tripolis. When you attain Tripolis, comply with the path to Sparti and Gythio. Earlier than reaching Gythio, you’ll see indicators to Monemvasia. The space between Athens and Monemvasia is about 320 km and takes roughly 4 hours.
Vehicles can’t enter the Fortress City, however they’ll drive as much as the primary gate to drop guests off.
In the event you’re arriving by automobile, you’ll must park your automobile in the primary parking zone, which is positioned within the trendy city of Gefyra on the mainland. You’ll see it to the suitable hand facet of the causeway as you strategy.
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 value round €1.10. Alternatively you possibly can cross the causeway on foot – the stroll takes about 20 minutes.
Bus
In the event you don’t need to hire a automobile, there are day by day KTEL buses from Athens that go to Monemvasia by way of Sparta or Molai. Buses depart from Kifissos KTEL Bus Station and the journey takes round 5 hours – a bit longer than the automobile journey.
Verify the next web site for schedules: www.ktel-lakonias.gr.
What’s the That means of Monemvasia?
The city’s identify derives from two Greek phrases, moni (μόνη, ‘single’) and emvasis (έμβασις, ‘strategy’), and collectively they imply “metropolis of single passage”.
A Transient Historical past of Monemvasia
Monemvasia was based by the Byzantines within the sixth century, from the relocation of the inhabitants of Historic Sparta, who deserted their metropolis after a Slav raid. The city was carved completely out of the bottom of a sea rock, and was invisible from the mainland, which protected it from enemy assaults. Initially the one solution to attain the island was by boat, however ultimately a pathway was created to attach it to the mainland. That is how Monemvasia will get its identify.
Because of its strategic location on necessary sea routes, Monemvasia ultimately developed into an necessary business and cultural middle. Through the years, the island grew to become the goal of many raids from pirates and Western rulers, nevertheless it has remained repeatedly inhabited till as we speak.
The settlement skilled vital progress throughout the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and through that point necessary monuments had 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 throughout the Conflict of Independence, after a four-month siege known as the Siege of Monemvasia.
At this time, Monemvasia seems like an open-air museum, crammed with traces of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian historical past.
Issues to Do in Monemvasia
Monemvasia is a small island, so it’s straightforward to get round on foot. The primary attraction right here is the citadel city, which is split into two halves – the “decrease city” and the “higher city”. There’s additionally a brand new, trendy city known as Gefyra, which has been constructed reverse the rock, however there isn’t a lot to see there.
Stroll via Monemvasia’s major gate and also you’ll arrive within the decrease city – a really quaint place with cobbled streets, Byzantine church buildings, fairly flowers and slender alleyways.
Most of the buildings have been transformed into boutiques, cafes, accommodations, guesthouses and eating places. When you can stroll round Monemvasia in only a few minutes, it’s straightforward to spend hours right here simply ingesting espresso and admiring its magnificence.
The higher city lies principally in destroy, however was as soon as house to grand palaces, mosques and church buildings. At this time it’s uninhabited, and the one constructing that lies principally intact is the Agia Sophia Church. Nonetheless, the higher city is price visiting for its panoramic views of the ocean and your entire settlement.
Listed here are among the greatest issues to do in Monemvasia:
Plateia Dsami
Plateia Dsami is Monemvasia’s major 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 right 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 have been gathered from Monemvasia and the encircling 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.
Through the years Elkomenos Christos was steadily broken and raided throughout invasions. Most of the icons contained in the church had been stolen or moved some place else, though you possibly can nonetheless see a number of uncommon icons on show.
Hike to the Higher City & Acropolis of Monemvasia
In the event you don’t thoughts the train, climb up the steep, zigzag walkway to succeed in the uninhabited higher a part of city. This half was as soon as house to Venetian aristocracy and tons of of lovely mansions. At this time they’re in ruins, nevertheless it’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 panoramic location on the sting of a sheer cliff, and is likely one of 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 Nineteen Thirties after Greece gained independence.
Portello Seaside Swimming Space
Greek summers can get fairly sizzling, so if you happen to fancy a dip, pay a go to to the Portobello Seaside swimming space. It’s not technically a seashore – extra of a washing 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 Sq. – is dominated by the Church of Panagia, which was constructed within the seventeenth century throughout the first Turkish occupation. This whitewashed church has a dome-shaped roof and remains to be in operation to this present day.
Monemvasia Lighthouse
The Lighthouse of Monemvasia will be reached via a small passageway on the far finish of the sq.. The views from listed here are breathtaking and it’s a great spot to look at the sundown or dawn. Inbuilt 1896, the lighthouse measures 6.5 meters in top and encompasses a sq. stone tower with a lantern connected to a 1-story stone keeper’s home. It was briefly broken throughout World Conflict 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 knowledge.
Yiannis Ritsos Home
Yiannis Ritsos was a well-known Greek poet and an lively member of the Greek Resistance throughout World Conflict II. His home, which is positioned in Monemvasia, is being changed into a municipal museum targeted on his life story and his reference to Monemvasia.
Drink Malvasia Wine
Through the Byzantine and Venetian durations, one in all Monemvasia’s most well-known commodities was wine, or ‘oino’ in Greek. The vineyards had 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 obtained 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. Nonetheless, the Venetians cherished this candy wine a lot that they started producing it in different areas, and malvasia wine manufacturing unfold to quite a few 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 intention of restoring the manufacturing of Malvasia wine at its birthplace. The vineyard is positioned round 10 Km away from the Fortress of Monemvasia and encompasses a tasting room the place guests can strive a glass of Malvasia wine. In the event you don’t handle to make it to the vineyard, you too can strive malvasia at Byron’s Wine Tasting Bar within the citadel city.
Monemvasia Lodges
I’d positively suggest reserving a keep within the previous citadel city if you happen to can afford it. The decrease city is extremely fairly with historic church buildings, cute cafes and delightful sea views. Listed here are some good choices in your keep:
- Moni Emvasis Luxurious Suites
- Likinia Resort
- Lazareto Resort
- Resort Byzantino Monemvasia
- Malvasia Conventional Resort
- Home within the Fortress
In the event you’re touring on a funds , you’ll discover extra reasonably priced lodging choices within the new city. Take a look at these accommodations:
- Aktaion Resort
- Filoxenia Resort Monemvasia
- The Flower of Monemvasia
The place 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 Want in Monemvasia
Monemvasia is small, and you may simply discover each the higher and decrease cities of Monemvasia in at some point. Nonetheless, the sheer magnificence and romantic nature of this place means it’s possible you’ll need to spend an evening or two right here.
Is Monemvasia, Greece, Value Visiting?
Sure, Monemvasia is beautiful! It takes some time to get there although from Athens, so I’d counsel you propose to remain there for the evening, or discover extra of the Laconia area. In the event you occur to be taking a Greek cruise that stops at Monemvasia, positively take the tender to Monemvasia and spend a day wandering across the previous Fortress City. It’s extremely fairly and picturesque, and can be good for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
For extra Greece inspiration, take a look at my Greece journey information and this in style Mykonos and Santorini itinerary.