A fourth-century earthquake separated a cliff from the coastal Greece creating a stand-alone rock on which a castle town was built, its unique location helping hide and protect it from attack. The name Monemvasia derives from two Greek words meaning single entrance. And there is only one way to enter this medieval town by local shuttle bus, whose defensive walls are only apparent once you enter the castle. Your guided tour begins here, with a walk down the narrow passageways and arched alleys, some barely wide enough to fit two people. A cobbled lane running through the town has long been the focus of commercial activity. Today it is lined with small tavernas, cafes, artisanal workshops and souvenir stores. The main lane then opens up onto a main square which is home to both a former mosque, which now holds an archeological collection, and the town’s cathedral, Christos Elkomenos (Christ in Chains). You’ll go inside this church to see its surviving Byzantine icons, including its most famous, of the Crucifixion. Stop for some refreshments and enjoy some time to explore on your own before returning to the main gate to meet the transfer back to the yacht.
Explore the fairytale castle and medieval town built atop the imposing rock formation known as the “Gibraltar of the East.”