On the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, lies one of the most mesmerizing medieval castle towns of Greece, Monemvasia. Once a peninsula in the distant past, according to ancient Greek traveler Pausanias’ “Guide to Greece”, today, it is a small island that’s calling us to discover its hidden secrets and beauties.
Monemvasia means “only [mone] entrance [emvasis]” referring to the only access point, which is over a bridge. The Castle, (“Kastro” in Greek) is divided into two parts, the lower and upper town. A walk in the picturesque town offers travelers views of impressive nature and architecture, interesting shopping, enjoyable coffee breaks or mouthwatering meals in traditional tavernas, and a wonderful opportunity for taking some truly amazing photos. Wander around its narrow cobbled streets, and admire the beautifully restored stone buildings and many enchanting Byzantine monuments, such as Agia Sofia church on the upper town quarters, perched on the cliff, which is today uninhabited. The location affords a breathtaking view of the Myrtoan Sea, and when the skies are clear you can see as far as the island of Crete. The best time to be there is in the afternoon, just before the sunset. You can also pay a visit to the cathedral, the church of Jesus Christ in Chains, facing the central town square, bearing quite a few elements of Venetian architecture. Remember to leave some time for a visit to the archaeological collection of Monemvasia, that lies inside a mosque.
If you are in the mood for a swim or in search of an instagrammable photo spot, head down to the Portello, the gate which leads to the sea. Once the passageway for traded goods, today, the location serves as the Monemvasia beach. Take also the lesser known route coming out of the eastern walls of the settlement and head towards the lighthouse of 1896, which was recently restored.
If you are a wine lover, enjoy tastings of Peloponnesian wines, such as the organic red Mavroudi from Estate Theodorakakos, the white Kydonitsa from Vatistas Winery and the semi-dry rosé Anthosmias from Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidis, that you can visit within a 2 hours trip. The winery was created to revive Malvasia, a historic wine produced in Monemvasia during the Middle Ages.
Another interesting excursion you should make time for, is to Talanta, a beautiful verdant village in the Laconian hinterland, about half an hour from Monemvasia. The area around Talanta offers nature at its grandest, and there is a good network of trails through the surrounding forest.
You can combine your visit to Monemvasia with a trip to nearby Mystras and Sparta where you can visit the Olive Oil Museum and learn about the culture, history and technology of the olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. You can also visit Nafplio, another picturesque town of Greece which is among the Top 10 most welcoming cities in the World, according to the travel industry heavyweight booking.com. From Nafplio, you can visit the nearby Skouras Domaine and enjoy a memorable wine tasting while discovering the main grape variety of the region, Agiorgitiko.
Keep in mind that Pax More offers a range of day trips or multiple-day excursions to any desired destination. The company’s private, group and luxury tours are led by experienced local guides and tailor-made to fit the needs of any traveler.
Blog post by MissMore
0 Comments