Monemvasia Tapestries

Full moon over the medieval "castletown" of Monemvasia. Photo taken from the yard of the house, where one of the greatest Greek poets, Giannis Ritsos, was born and raised in. His house is right above the main entrance of the castle. Monemvasia is built on a big rock which is connected with the mainland of Peloponnisos with a narrow brigde. It is often called the "Greek Gibraltar". As it is built on the "back" side of the rock it's not visible from the mainland and offers a limitless view to the sea. It's not just one castle but two. The upper one is almost completely destroyed. Only a wonderful church and one or two buildings are "still on their feet". Besides that it's worth the effort to climb all the stairs you see on the left part ...

Night view (1 hour take) of the the byzantine church of Hagia Sophia, the only building remaining in good condition on the "Upper" castle of Monemvasia, Lakonia. On the contrary, on the "Lower" castle of Monemvasia, you can see a perfectly well preserved and very romantic medieval settlement. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

The whole rock of Monemvasia has been declared archaelogical monument. As a consequence to that, every building that's been restored and even some new structures that are built in the limited space of the rock, have to follow strict architectonic rules. Thank god, the character, the architectonic "identity" of Monemvasia has remained intact. Photo taken from the upper part of the town. There is a certain place up there, called "Tapia tou Kritikou" (means "The Cretan's stronghold") that offers a full view of the Lower Town. Camera: Canon EOS 30 D

Inside the castle

Partial night view of the "Lower Castle" of the "castletown" of Monemvasia. Photo taken from the "Upper Castle". Lakonia, Greece. Here you can see part of the village of the lower castle, as ti can be seen from the upper castle of the "Greek Gibraltar". It is located in a big rock which is connected with the mainland of Peloponnisos with a narrow brigde. As it is built on the "back" side of the rock it's not visible from the mainland and offers a limitless view to the sea. It's not just one castle but two. The upper one is almost completely destroyed. Only a wonderful church and one or two buildings are "still on their feet". Besides that it's worth the effort to climb all the stairs , just to have a panoramic view of the lower castle, ...

The seaside walls of the medieval "castletown" of Monemvasia (Lakonia, Peloponnese, Greece) *EXIF DATA* Focal length: 16mm (full frame) Aperture: f/22 Shutter speed: 2 sec ISO: 50

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III The medieval "castletown" of Monemvasia (or "Malvasia"), in Lakonia Prefecture, Peloponnese, Greece. Here you can see part of the village of the lower castle, as ti can be seen from the upper castle of the "Greek Gibraltar". It is located in a big rock which is connected with the mainland of Peloponnisos with a narrow brigde. As it is built on the "back" side of the rock it's not visible from the mainland and offers a limitless view to the sea. It's not just one castle but two. The upper one is almost completely destroyed. Only a wonderful church and one or two buildings are "still on their feet". Besides that it's worth the effort to climb all the stairs , just to have a panoramic view of the lower castle, tha...

This is a photo of the rock of Monemvasia, taken from New Monemvasia or Gefyra. On the back of this rock you can and should visit the best preserved byzantine town-in-a-castle in Greece, the most romantic place all over Greece, in my humble opinion. The name Monemvasia cames from the Greek words "moni emvasi", that mean one, sole entrance and indeed there is only one way in and out to the outstanding medieval town, and that's a stone bridge, small part of which you can see on the right part of the picture. Just to show the historical significance of the rock I've just made a short list with all of its conquerers. It was inhabited for the first time during the 6th century a.C., when people from many regions of Lakonia, came here to avoi...

The Byzantine castle-town of Monemvasia in Greece

From the first steps into the castle of the Medieval town of Monemvasia (it means "Sole Entrance") you 'll be left astonished by its beauty and you' ll start wondering which way to go. Here, the road to the left leads above of the entrance, to the house of one of the greatest Greek poets, Giannis (or Yannis) Ritsos, the poet of "Romiosini". The road in the middle is the "central" road of Monemvasia (Lakonia, Peloponnese, Greece), the one that leads to its "heart". Saying "central" I don't mean any avenue, it's a stone alley about 3 metres wide. The alley to the right leads deeper inside the "heart" of the "castletown" and finally to the sea. Whatever your choice might be, you 'll see dozens of very narrow alleys going up and down, crea...

View of the medieval castletown of Monemvasia or "Malvasia" (also known as the "Greek Gibraltar") from the sea. Monemvasia is not just one castle, but two! It's not just one town, but two, the "Lower town" and the "Upper town". The "Lower Town" remains in perfectly good condition, and it' s one of the most romantic destinations in Greece, where you can find some of the most picturesque, hotels, guesthouses, taverns and cafes. The "Upper Town" is mostly ruined and only the majestic byzantine church of Agia Sofia remains in good condition. The whole rock of Monemvasia is a protected area and archaeological site

Monemvasia, Greece

Monemvasia (or "Malvasia") is not just one castle, but two! It’s not just one town, but two, the “Lower town” and the “Upper town”. The “Lower Town” remains in perfectly good condition, and it’ s one of the most romantic destinations in Greece, where you can find some of the most picturesque, hotels, guesthouses, taverns and cafes. The “Upper Town” is mostly ruined and only the majestic byzantine church of Agia Sofia remains in good condition. The whole rock of Monemvasia is a protected area and archaeological site. So, here's a photo of the "Lower Town" from the "Upper Town"

This is a photo of the rock of Monemvasia, taken from New Monemvasia or Gefyra. On the back of this rock you can and should visit the best preserved byzantine town-in-a-castle in Greece, the most romantic place all over Greece, in my humble opinion. The name Monemvasia cames from the Greek words "moni emvasi", that mean one, sole entrance and indeed there is only one way in and out to the outstanding medieval town, and that's a stone bridge, small part of which you can see on the left part of the picture. (slow shutter speed-long exposure) Just to show the historical significance of the rock I've just made a short list with all of its conquerers. It was inhabited for the first time during the 6th century a.C., when people from many r...

View from the Upper Town (upper castle), of Monemvasia (or "Monemvassia"), Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. In the background you can see the byzantine church of Agia Sophia.