GREECE PELOPONNESE LAKONIA EPIDAVROS LIMERA

North of Monemvasia lies the ancient acropolis of Epidavros Limera, to the locals better known as Palaia Monemvasia. Pausanias, who visited the site in the 2nd century AD claims that colonists from Epidaurus founded the city but actually it was already habitated in Mycenaean times. - Epidavros Limera was destroyed by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC), but the city was not abandoned until the 6th century AD when its inhabitants resettled at the naturally fortified site of Monemvasia.

The fortified enceinte of the ancient acropolis is preserved over a length of more than 500 m and consists of polygonal masonry with square towers. It was constructed in the 5th - 4th century BC. Inside the ancient city walls remains from the Roman period are reported but due to the dense vegetation (the treacherous thorns even penetrated the soles of my shoes as I had to realize painfully) it is nearly impossible to get there.

Above and below left: Walls of ancient Epidavros Limera.

Above right: Local tradition says that the nearby cave is that of the one-eyed Cyclop Polyphem who wanted to eat Odysseus and his companions as described in Homer's Odyssey. - Below: Views from Epidavros Limera to the nearby rock of Monemvasia.