Monemvasia

This city is to be found on a rock 350 m above sea level and is often alternatively named the ‘Gibraltar of Greece’. Monemvasia is a vast sailing trip over open waters and can only be achieved during calm seas. The city was isolated from the mainland after the earthquake of 375 DC, and remained so until the construction of the bridge in the 6th century. The inhabitants of Laconia were chased out of the North to Monemvasia and laid the foundations of a city, which cannot be seen from the mainland. In the 8th century Monemvasia blossomed because of its strategic location into a prosperous settlement only to be completely deserted in the 1900’s because of the lack of potable water. It was only in the 1990’s that the city was once again inhabited, and the old houses restored. The city is divided in two parts: uptown and a downtown. The downtown area is a maze of small streets and alleys intersecting with breathtaking beautiful Venetian houses. The uptown, where the wealthy families lived and literally looked down upon the lower classes living in the south, has remained mostly in ruins. The 13th century Agia Sofia church is perched on the edge of a rock and is also included in our excursion.