Hotel Filoxenia

Lower Town

by Lilasel

Most of the old town's buildings are made of the local stone, and many have been renovated as summer homes for wealthy Greeks and foreigners. (Restoration work is closely supervised by the archaeological authorities to keep TV antennas, air conditioners, and other modern intrusions out of sight.)

It's a sunny town of tiled-roof houses, attractive shops and cafes, pleasant squares, and tiny churches.

Ayia Sofia

by leffe3

The one building remotely still standing is the Ayia Sofia - the 13th century church built in a commanding position looking out to the open sea of the edge of a precipice. Founded as a monastery by Andronikos II, many of the smaller out buildings are little more than foundations, but this is more than made up for it by the chapel - and that extraordinary location.

Agia Sophia

by AndyRG

Agia Sophia (church of Holy Wisdom) is one of the best byzantine churches that can be found all over Greece. It is octagonal and its wall-paintings have been restored. It was built by the Byzantine emperor Andronikos B' between 1287-1328.
If you want to go inside it, find the secret on the excellent page about Monemvasia of VT member dimitris03...

The Gibraltar of Greece

by Lilasel

"Back to the Middle Ages"

If you have a chance to reach the prefecture of Laconia in the south of Peloponessos don't miss the mysterious village of Monemvasia... Peace and calm...

The history of the village is a rich one and the fortress which has been used and added to by everyone from the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Venetians and The Turks, is one of the most spectacular sites in the Aegean and has been called the Gibralter of the East Mediterranean.