Monemvasia
The Medieval Castle Town / Island of the Peloponnese
In the south eastern coast of the Peloponnese lies a huge sea rock known as Monemvassia.
History
Constructed in the Middle Ages, Monemvassia was carved on the slopes of a huge rock in the sea – hidden from the mainland, hence protecting its inhabitants from invasion.
The only way to reach it was by sea – with a paved entrance/causeway later built to connect the castle entrance with the mainland.
This is where the town has derived its name: Monemvassia means single passage in Greek.
The old rock meant that the Venetians used to call Monemvassia the “Gibraltar of the East”.
Nowadays there’s a new town constructed on the mainland just opposite the rock–no less impressive and maintaining its former glory with medieval streets, stone mansions and Byzantine churches.
Castle & Old Town