Gythion and Monemvasia

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Today we joined with fourteen other passengers to catch a small bus from the port of Gythion to Monemvasia. The town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, the island was separated from the mainland by an earthquake in 375 AD. The island is now linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 metres above sea level, up to 300 metres wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress.

We entered through the lower town gate, learning that the town's name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning "single entrance". We were lucky to have a guide with us to explain the history of this beautiful town as we wandered the narrow streets which were wide enough only for pedestrian and donkey traffic.

Half of us walked up the steep pathway to the upper city, which consisted of ruins and the beautiful church of Agia Sophia. The Church is among the oldest and most important Byzantine churches in Greece. The church was originally established in the 12th century by the Byzantine emperor Andronicus II and it was dedicated to Panagia Hodegetria, which means the Virgin who leads the way. In the Venetian times, it was converted into a Catholic Convent. After the Greek Independence, it was dedicated to the Wisdom of God and was named Agia Sofia.

After walking back down to the lower town we were pleased to sit and enjoy a greek salad and the local Monemvasia wine for lunch before the one and a half hour bus trip back to the port at Gythion. We had just enough time to explore the laneways of Gythion and enjoy a cold beer before boarding our ship to sail to our next port, Rhodes.

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