Monemvasia

After Gytheio and the ship wreck, our main destination for the day was to Monemvasia, which is surrounded by the Myrtoan Sea  - in between the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.  Monemvasia was founded in the 6th century, making it one of the oldest continually-inhabited fortified towns in Europe.

Lower Town

Monemvasia is sometimes compared to Gibraltar since it appears as a gigantic rock jutting out of the sea.  There is a narrow causeway that links it to mainland Peloponnese.  From the mainland, you wouldn't know it's inhabited as the "Lower Town" hides on the seaward side, hidden from view unless you are out on the water. High above the Lower Town is an even larger "Upper Town" which is no longer inhabited and not much remains intact.

Hagia Sofia 

The town has numerous Byzantine-era churches, the most famous of which -- the Hagia Sofia Orthodox Church -- still stands in the Upper Town looking down at the sea.  We hiked up the zig zagging trail to the Upper Town and soaked in the views.  Monemvasia has influences of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian history as the various empires controlled the region throughout its history.  Hagia Sofia epitomizes this influence.  

Hagia Sofia

First constructed in the 12th century with later additions, it has been both a Christian church and Islamic mosque during its history depending upon which empire was in power.

We hiked all through the Upper Town to the former citadel at the highest point and soaked in the 360-degree views.  After hiking back down to the Lower Town we walked out the east gate to check out the lighthouse and admire the views from Monemvasia at its farthest point out to sea.

Monemvasia Lighthouse