The town’s name derives from two Greek words, μόνη και έμβασις, meaning “the only entrance”. This refers to the causeway which is the only entrance. Monemvasia is basically a Byzantine settlement, much like Mystra. The major difference is that it was never abandoned, and people still live here. Anywhere else this would have led to modernisation and the loss of the old town, but Monemvasia had one advantage going for it, and the clue is in the name: it means ‘Single Entrance’.
Like Mystra the town was surrounded by walls, and there is only one gateway that leads through them towards the causeway and the mainland. Crucially it was, and remains, too small for cars. The villagers probably cursed this, and many of them moved to Gefyra, the mainland settlement opposite the rock, but it meant that the old style of the town endured.
The town of Monemvasia
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Above all Monemvasia is for couples: to wander, hand-in-hand, down the cobbled lanes; to browse the small boutiques in search of art or jewellery; to sip cocktails on terraced platforms above tiled roofs. It is still a place of beauty for those on their own, but if you are in love, you have found your Mecca!
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- Walk through the alleys of the Castle to a trip to the past. Be enchanted by the narrow streets that run Monemvasia from side to side and switch to another era. In the main alley you’ll find many small charming shops, cafes and restaurants. The time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages and you’re there.
- Visit Monemvasia’s archaeological collection, housed in an old mosque in the main square in the lower town of Monemvasia’s castle.
- Visit the cathedral of Monemvasia, Elkomenos Christos
- Visit the lovely, small, white church of Panagha Chrysafitissa
- Visit the Lighthouse of Monemvasia, behind Panaghas Chrysafitissa’s church
- Walk until the top of the rock, exploring the Upper City, and enjoy the breathtaking view
- Visit the famous church of Aghias Sophia’s on the Upper Town.
- Visit the watermill at Talanta village (20 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
- Running and cycling out of Monemvasia’s new town streets
- Hiking to the Lighthouse at Kavos Maleas, the southern part of Peloponnese
- Visit the archaeological museum of Neapolis (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
- Visit the nautical museum of Neapolis (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
- Visit the Larnaka Gorge at Molaoi (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)·
- Visit the spectacular Cave of Kastania (1hour driving from Monemvasia)
- Visit the one of a kind Caves of Diros (1,5 hour driving from Monemvasia)
- Swimming (Simo’s beach to Elafonisos island, Plytra, Marathias, Archaggelos, Pori, Ampelakia, Xifias etc.)
- Visit Kiparissi village
- Visit the fjord of Gerakas
Activities
IN OUR BEUTIFUL MONEMVASIA
Activities
IN OUR BEUTIFUL MONEMVASIA
Walk through the alleys of the Castle to a trip to the past. Be enchanted by the narrow streets that run Monemvasia from side to side and switch to another era. In the main alley you’ll find many small charming shops, cafes and restaurants. The time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages and you’re there.
Visit Monemvasia’s archaeological collection, housed in an old mosque in the main square in the lower town of Monemvasia’s castle.
Visit the cathedral of Monemvasia, Elkomenos Christos
Visit the lovely, small, white church of Panagha Chrysafitissa
Visit the Lighthouse of Monemvasia, behind Panaghas Chrysafitissa’s church
Walk until the top of the rock, exploring the Upper City, and enjoy the breathtaking view
Visit the famous church of Aghias Sophia’s on the Upper Town.
Visit the watermill at Talanta village (20 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
Running and cycling out of Monemvasia’s new town streets
Hiking to the Lighthouse at Kavos Maleas, the southern part of Peloponnese
Visit the archaeological museum of Neapolis (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
Visit the nautical museum of Neapolis (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)
Visit the Larnaka Gorge at Molaoi (30 minutes driving from Monemvasia)·
Visit the spectacular Cave of Kastania (1hour driving from Monemvasia)
Visit the one of a kind Caves of Diros (1,5 hour driving from Monemvasia)
Swimming (Simo’s beach to Elafonisos island, Plytra, Marathias, Archaggelos, Pori, Ampelakia, Xifias etc.)
Visit Kiparissi village
Visit the fjord of Gerakas