Third Wave Travel - The Byzantine Empire

In the southeast part of the Peloponnese is Laconia, a region of natural beauty, with beaches and mountains, harbours and wild capes, Frankish and Byzantine castles, picturesque towns and traditional villages.

At the far end of eastern Laconia the medieval castle city of Monemvasia perched on a rock is rising from the sea. A low bridge links the rock with the coast of the Peloponnese. This is the only approach to the rock, Monì Emvasis in Greek, which gave the name to the place.

The Laconians seeking a refuge from the raids of the Arabs and the Slavs in the 6th century AD fortified the rock and 1000 years of prosperity and glory followed.

From the main land the rock seems deserted but as you make your way along the causeway, you see first the entrance to the castle and then the walls which snake up to the summit of the rock. And then you are in the castle city of Monemvasia and you think that time has stopped. The narrow cobbled alleys, the two-storeyed mansions made of stone, the byzantine churches wedged between houses and the coats of arms travel you back to the medieval times.

Under the Byzantines Monemvasia flourished as a trading center. In 1446 it was captured and occupied by the Venetians for a hundred years. Both the Upper and Lower cities bear the marks of Venetian influence in the fortifications, in the chimney-pots of the houses which are built with verandas overlooking the sea.

Strolling along the old cobbled streets you see about forty churches, most of them in ruins, but some have remained undamaged. The cathedral of Monemvasia is the church of Christ Elkomenos of the 13th century.

Walking uphill to the castle in the upper town you pass under the arched tunnel of the main gate and you are in the main square of the deserted town. On the steepest side of the cliff is one of the finest monuments of Greece, the 13th century church of St. Sophia and from there the view of the lower town and the sea is breathtaking.

You can stay in old stone buildings which have been converted into guesthouses offering excellent accommodation within the castle city of Monemvasia, you can taste local specialties in the tavernas and restaurants which have superb sea views and you can enjoy the night life of this unique place.

At a short distance from Monemvasia you can visit Yerakas, a little harbour hidden in a wild impressive landscape in the heart of a fjord.

Another place located close to Monemvasia in the Laconic gulf is the fishing village of Archangelos with beautiful sandy beaches and deep blue waters.