Monemvasia Monemvasia

Monemvasia - Definition and Overview

Statistics
Prefecture: Laconia
Province: Epidavros Limiras
Location:
Latitude:
Longitude:

36.685/36°41'7' N lat.
23.053/23°3'14' E long.
Dwellings: -->
Population: (1991)
 - Total
 - Density¹
 - Rank

 -78

 -/km²</small>
Communes:
Elevation:
 -lowest:
 -centre:

sea level
15 m(centre)
Postal code: 230 70
Area/distance code: 11-30-27320
(030-27320)
Municipal code: 3213
Car designation: AK
Name of inhabitants: Momenvasian sing., -s pl.
Monemvasiot sing., -s pl.
Monemvassia can be seen in the background
Monemvassia can be seen in the background
</small>

Monemvassia (Greek: Μονεμβασία, or Monemvasia, Malvasy) is a medieval fortress with an adjacent town, located on a small peninsula off the east coast of the Peloponnese in the Greek prefecture of Laconia. Remains include the defensive structures, the small adjacent town and Byzantine churches. Its name derives from two Greek words meaning "single entrance". The bay of Palaia Monemvasia is founded in the north.

Contents

Nearest places

  • Agios Ioannis in Monemvasia

Communes

  • Momenvasia

Historical population

Year Communal population Change Municipal population
1981 631 -
1991 78 -553/-87.64% 3,950


From 1981 to 1991, the village had a huge decline in population, one of the most places that lost population in Laconia.

History

Middle Ages

The founding of the town and fortress of Monemvassia most probably occurred in the 6th Century CE, by people seeking refuge from the Slavic invasion of Greece. From the 10th Century CE, the town developed into an important trade, and maritime centre.

It was a Byzantine town that existed continuously under the domain of the Empire until the 14th Century, when the Empire fell. It was successively governed by Venetians and Ottomans in intervals:

  • Venetian: (1460 - 1540)
  • Ottoman: (1540 - 1690)
  • Venetian: (1690 - 1715)
  • Ottoman: (1715 - 1821)

The commercial importance continued for the town until the Orlov Revolt (1770) in the Russo-Turkish War, which saw its importance severely decline.

Modern times

The town of Monemvassia as it appears today
The town of Monemvassia as it appears today

The town was liberated from Ottoman rule on August 1, 1821, during the Greek War of Independence.

In more recent history, the town has seen a continuing resurgence in its importance with increasing levels of tourists visiting the site and the region.

Places of interest

External links

External links




North: Kynouria?
West: Monemvasia East: Myrtoan Sea

See also:

Municipalities of Laconia
Asopos | Elia | Farida | Geronthri | Gytheio | Krokees | Molaoi | Monemvasia | Mystras | Niata | Oinounta | Oitylo | Pellana | Laconia | Smynos | Sparta | Therapni | Voia/Vatika | Zarakas
Independent communes of Laconia
Elafonissos | Karyes

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