Monemvasia

Got up early again today to make it to Monemvasia before the tourist buses. Took a stroll through the almost deserted little town and found a breakfast spot with a perfect view.

Monemvasia means “only (mone) entrance (emvasis)” refering to the only access point to the island, which is over a bridge.

In 1890, a small part of the natural tombolo was cut to create an artificial bridge for ships and boats. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100m above sea level, up to 300m wide and 1 kilometre long.

Founded in the sixth century, and thus one of the oldest continually-inhabited fortified towns in Europe, the town is the site of a once-powerful medieval fortress, and was at one point one of the most important commercial centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. The town's walls and many Byzantine churches remain as testaments to the town's history.Read more