Monemvasia in Greece

Monemvasia was once a prosperous trading center of medieval Greece. Today the town showcases its Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian histories, which happily co-exist with its modern avatar. Monemvasia is located on a small island off the Peloponnesian coast. It is linked to the mainland by a historic causeway, which is still the only way to get to the island. Monemvasia’s old fortified gateway leads to a charming warren of cobblestoned streets that wind their way up and down town. The narrow alleyways are lined with lovely little boutiques, shops and cafés, with the occasional church spire towering over the old world landscape. Another fortified gate leads to the upper town, which is a sprawling Byzantine era fort or kastro, with crumbling stone walls overlooking the Aegean Sea. The 13th century Church of St. Sophia, perched atop a sheer cliff, is definitely worth a visit.