The Peloponnese Peninsula is located in the southern part of Greece, surrounded by the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The peninsula is the cradle of the Hellenic civilization and is associated with the history of Greece. The Olympic Games originated here, and the famous Sparta was also located.
The name of the peninsula comes from the mythical hero Pelops and the Greek word “nisos” (island). There is a legend about how Pelops’ father, Tantalus, cooked his son’s dinner for the gods. When the gods realized what had happened, they resurrected the boy. Since then, Tantalus has become known for his “torments” in mythology: he stands in the water, surrounded by orchards, but cannot quench his thirst and hunger. Pelops, despite his tragic childhood, lived happily ever after, married a royal daughter, had worthy descendants and ruled many lands.
One of these lands is the peninsula that got his name. In the Byzantine period, the Peloponnese was called “Morea”, but in the 19th century it returned to its ancient Greek name.
The peninsula, with an area of 21,549.6 square kilometers, is connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth and several bridges. It has a mountainous interior and picturesque rugged shores. In addition, you can see fortresses, ancient stadiums and theaters, castles, monasteries, cozy towns and villages.
One of the amazing corners of the Peloponnese is the rocky island of Monemvasia with a small village hidden from prying eyes. The island is connected to the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese by a single bridge. Its name comes from the Greek “moni embasia”, which means “one entrance”.
The first inhabitants of Monemvasia came here from the Greek region of Laconia to hide from the Avar invaders who occupied this part of Greece between the 6th and 8th centuries AD. The island was first inhabited on the top of a mountain plateau, and the ruins of an ancient settlement have been preserved to this day. Then the fortified lower town was built, and due to its unique position, Monemvasia was used as a fortress.
At the time of the fall of Byzantium, Monemvasia was its main city and one of the important trading centers of the Byzantine Empire. Up to 40,000 people lived in the city.
Over the course of several centuries, Monemvasia came under the control of various peoples and gradually declined. It was only in the middle of the 20th century that the city began to revive as a tourist center and a significant historical landmark.
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