Travel Guide Monemvasie – Monemvassia

At the southern tip of the peninsula in south-eastern Laconia, a Byzantine and Venetian citadel stands on a rock beaten by the waves. It is Monemvassia, home of the Greek poet Yannis Ritsos and a place of unique charm! The citadel is a bit in the middle of nowhere (67 km from Gythio, 214 km from Nafplio, 97 km from Sparta...). The enormous rock, which looks like an islet, is in fact connected to the land by a thin lagoon which provides the only access. Monemvassia is divided in two: the new town and the old town. The old town sits enthroned on its large rock and fiercely defends its access, forbidden to vehicles... which would have difficulty in any case to pass under the vault of the citadel entrance or to sneak through its cobbled streets! There are a few hotels, but the absence of beaches and the limitations imposed in general on building on a historic site have contributed remarkably to the preservation of Monemvassia. As a result, the hotels abound in the new town just before the lagoon. And they're a lot cheaper than the ones in the old town... You can always go for dinner in the old town, which has some fabulous spots. Strolling through the old town, climbing to the top of the citadel to enjoy a wonderful view or wandering through the cobbled streets are all unforgettable moments in the late afternoon or early evening. Monemvassia is magic! Let's go. By bus (ktel-lakonias.gr) from Athens via Sparta and Corinth.