The hand with 3 fingers is Greece's most exciting countryside. The Peloponese (Peloponissos) is, from a cultural point of view, one of the most interesting regions.Monemvasia is situated in the South East of Peloponnese
Monemvasia means 'single entry' and it can only be reached by a causeway and a road that winds around the base of the rock for about 1 kilometer before it comes to an abrupt end in front of the fortress walls. You enter the old town through a gate which leads into an L-shaped tunnel and then emerge to see the old town which up until this point has been hidden from view! There is no entry for cars so if you are staying here you have to carry your bags from this point. The small old town consists of narrow cobbled streets and a complex network of stone houses that are clustered around the seaward side of the island and spread up the side of the massive hill. The fortress was built by the Venetians in the 16th century and the climb to the top is an exhilarating experience! An 18th century Turkish traveller said 'You can find everything you want in this city
Temple of Apollo, Ancient Corinth
except water.' The views over the old town are breath-taking and the sight of the Byzantine Church of Agia Sophia, perched precariously on the cliff, is well worth the effort!
The rock of Monemvasia is 300 m tall and 1.8 km long.
From Monemvasia the visitors have the possibility to make daily trips to nearby place such as the village and the port of Gerakas which is like a little frjod,the Monastere of Evagelistrias,the village of Kiparissi,the caves of Diros and Ano Kastania,the island of Elafonisos,the city of Mystras e.t.c.