Monemvasia (Malvoisie to you francophones)Nov 16, 2005
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First street in Monemvasia.
Churches and stones.
Mama gazes out over the sea near recently renovated house.
| If you imagine the Rock of Gibraltar, minus the apes, transported to the Myrtoon Sea, you have the idea of Monemvasia, a much fought over fortified rock on the east coast of the Peloponnisos. Monemvasia is Greek for "one way in." Much like Mystras, it was primarily a Roman (Christian Roman Empire of the East) fortification and habitation. Perhaps 10 Orthodox churches exist within the small city enclosed thightly by the curtain walls of the lower fortification, and one large church inside the fortification on top of the rock. We had a long, pleasant stroll through the narrow alleys, way too small for αυτοκινετοι (automobiles). The workmen restoring or gentrifying the stone buildings, use small motorized wheelbarrows, and white donkeys to move sacks of heavy materials around the sight. Flattening oneself up against a wall to let a mule train pass by in a 6 foot wide street, is memorable. Several Xenonas (boutique hotels) have established themselves in the ancient precinct and offer small rooms in mideval stone houses with modern plumbing, and endless views of the wine dark (actually blue,blue) sea. |
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