Monemvasia

In all honesty, I had avoided visiting Monemvasia, the medieval castle town on the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, for many years, fearing the place had become an overly sentimental, somewhat superficial and clichéd destination, suitable only for lovebirds. I eventually decided to go. It was winter and I went alone. And I ended up turning into a cliche – I felt overwhelmed by this magical place’s rawness, wildness, history and profound romanticism. I have since returned in spring, summer and autumn, both with company and alone, as Monemvasia is an all-year destination, ideal for all emotional states. Its uniqueness and its fairytale atmosphere (the cliches I mentioned before) remain as true as ever. Even if you haven’t studied its history, you see it written on the walls around you. The sense of isolation felt on this legendary rock, cut off from the coast of the Peloponnese by an earthquake in 375 AD, adds to the wonder. As a natural fortress, it was inhabited and soon became a strategic fortress claimed the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans. Neither museum-like nor artificially fabricated, Monemvasia is Europe’s only castle that has never ceased being inhabited. #mynovgetaway #mynovgetaway

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Unveiling the Charms of Monemvasia: Step into a Time Capsule of Ancient Beauty

Lakonia, the ancient territory of the Spartans A facinating landscape of unique beauty ideal for sightseein or a quiet and relaxing vacation. Byzantine and Frank forts fascinating Mystras, the Rock of Monemvasia, legendary Mani with its traditional stone castles, Diros caves and Sparti form a pole of attraction for visitors all year round. Mt. Taygetos ends at the cape of Tainaron, while the extension of Mt. Parnon stretches all the way down to Cape Kavos Maleas. Nearby is the quiet and sandy beach of Neapolis and further along Elafonissos Island, a hidden paradise of dunes and cedar trees. The history is indelibly inscribed on the monuments of different times. The tradition is constantly recycled in customs and practises and is vividly impressed in the architecture of buildings and villages. The natural beauty is manifest in the harmonious alternation of mountainous landscapes, fertile valleys, sun-drenched coasts. Peaceful and hospitable, with a gentle climate and pure air, Laconia offers the traveller all he/she might require for a pleasant holiday, but also for a sightseeing tour of inimitable riches and impressions. The Prefecture of Laconia lies in the southern part of the Peloponnese to the south of Arkadia and to the east of Messinia. It covers an area blessed by a generous nature with multi-faceted beauty. In the western part, north to south, rises stately Mt. Taigetos, with Profitis Ilias, the highest peak of the Peloponnese, at 2,407m In the eastern part Mt. Parnon is calmer and more approachable. Its highest peak, the Megali Tourla, is at 1,935m Between the two mountains flows the river Evrotas, which renders fertile the valfey of the historic city of Sparta and the plain of Elos (mentioned by Homer) before emptying after a course of 82km in the cove of the large Gulf of Lakonia, created by the famous peninsulas of Mani and Epidavros Umira. The peninsula of Mani is the western "leg" of Lakonia, the continuation of the Taigetos range. After a decline #mynovgetaway #mynovgetaway