The narrow cobbled alleys, Byzantine churches, castle, cannons at the ends of the Venetian coats, double-decker stone mansions create the feeling that in this seaside village with the "single emphasis" the time has stopped.
On the east coast of the Peloponnese, about 320 kilometers from Athens and 92 kilometres from Sparta is Monemvasia. The "single-emphasis", a single entrance that leads to the castle, which is built on a rock of 350 measures which rises a short distance from the east coast of Laconia and is linked to the mainland via a bridge.
The establishment of the settlement was made by the Lacedaemonian 6 th AD century. Then lower the creation of a village where the city developed gradually gained great strategic importance.
After a brief papal possession was received in the Venetian domination in 1464, while 1540 following the period of Ottoman rule. In 1690 the city surrendered to the Venetians, while in 1715 the Turks anakatalamvanoun. Released in 1821, the first fortified city was liberated from the Turks.
All these influences are visible even today in "kastropoli" - as they call it-which consists of two parts. One is built on the rock, where even today there are the ruins of buildings Byzantine periods. The other is the "Down Country" where there is a "living castle", as residents have maintained their homes in the same form for the last 2-3 centuries.
The view from the castle is literally breathtaking. On the one hand stretched out the Myrtoo Sea. On the other extends the laconic land. Behind the walls of the castle town ... alive. There is also the culture of today: restaurants, cafeterias, bars, hotels.
Walk the cobbled streets. Admire the Byzantine churches. Enjoy the mansions with arches. Visit the home of the great poet Yannis Ritsos, where the bust.
For gourmet dining you enough to know that inside the castle "hiding" several picturesque taverns (not necessarily tourism).
We would, however, we suggest two parties outside Monemvasia. In "Pipineli" (synoikismo Agia Paraskevi leaving for Naples, which specializes in meat) and "Atha" towards MOLAOI, in the village of St John. The menu Atha will enjoy two local specialties: the amazing saitia which (thin chortopitakia baked in coal) and gkogkes (handmade pasta).
For your stay, we suggest the "Byzantino" (tel 27320.61254), "Lazareto" (tel 27320.61991) or romantic "Cells" (tel 27320.61520)
Finally, select your drink (inside the castle) "Venetian" and "Ardami".
