GREECE PELOPONNESE LAKONIA MONEMVASIA

Monemvasia occupies a rocky islet, 300 m high and 1.8 km long, impressive from all sides, which owes its distinct red colour to minerals in the limestone. It is connected to the coast by a long dam leading to the sole city gate.

"The Rock", as it is nicknamed, was settled in the 6th century AD by people seeking refuge from the Slavic and the Avaric invasion of Greece. Being of considerable strategic importance for the naval routes in the Mediterranean and famed for its products like the Malvasia wine (the Franks called the town Malvasia), the site was fortified and steadily flourished until 1460, when it was sold to the Pope, who then sold it to Venice in 1464.

In 1540 Monemvasia was occupied by the Turks, fell back to the Venetians, then again to the Turks ... And finally, after a four-month siege, Monemvasia was liberated by the Greeks in their War of Independence. Some of the Greek families returned, but during the 19th century Monemvasia remained an insignificant country town with bad infrastructure. In 1911 the last families left the area of the fortress, the Lower Town was almost deserted.

Meanwhile, Monemvasia has again 2000 inhabitants and is experiencing a revival. Many Venetian houses and other buildings have been restored, a colony of artists is developing, Monemvasia and neighboring Gefira have become attractive destinations for tourists from Greece and elsewhere.

Above right: The Lower Town is fortified with a wall that runs from the steepest part of the rock down to the sea. - Below left: The barrel-vaulted gateway of the Venetian period gives access to the Lower Town, only for pedestrians. The name Monemvasia comes from the Greek moni emvasis meaning "single entrance": the long causeway joining it to the mainland and at its end the awkward gate was and is the only access to the rock. - Below right: The battered door of the gateway to the Lower Town shows vivid evidence of the town's violent past.

Above: Near the gate is the house where Yiannis Ritsos (1909-1990), one of the greatest Greek poets of the twentieth century, lived. - Below: Views in the Lower Town.