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.
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#mynovgetaway
LimTheHustla
4
2024wish
Acropolis & Fortification Castle of Mystras 🗺️
FlorinM
mynovgetaway
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
LimTheHustla
3
mynovgetaway
Mezapos nowadays is a small fishing village, but it's history isn't as peaceful as now. In past years it was the most important pirate's hideout.
Someone can choose to swim from its three beaches, Chalikia, Kourkou, Kato Mezapos. Each one has something special to offer. Let's see them:
Chalikia consists of two separate beaches, the first and smaller one that you can see from the main village road, and the second larger and hidden one which you can not see her from the road. To find her someone has to walk through the left side of the first one. She is a gem with extras like the permanent shadow from the cliffs above and the picturesque cave at the left side. The left coast of the beach is a must for swimmers, snorkelling and kayaking because of the many caves someone will meet in short distance from the beach.
Kourkou is a lake-like type of a beach / swimming cove with vertical yellow cliffs all around. It surely deserves a visit as this is something you won't find in most places. Cliff divers and kids (that know to swim as the depth goes to 4 meters exactly from the coast) will absolutely love the experience. She has easy accessible cliffs from 1 meter to 10 meters for cliff diving. ENJOY!
Kato Mezapos is the smallest of the three but has two bonuses. She is the most accessible one as the car goes all the way down to the beach, you only have to walk 10 flat meters. The second one is something unique and really precious for the very hot summer days when the sea is also warm. When you swim 30 meters at the right side of the beach you will suddenly experience cold refreshing waters that stream from the rocks. If you follow the direction of the cold flow you will notice a small cave with turquoise waters. Just enter it is the most refreshing feeling.
#mynovgetaway
#mynovgetaway