Monemvasia occupies a steep, rocky islet connected to the Laconian
coast by a bridge. The settlement was founded in the 6th century
A.D. by the inhabitants of Laconia. After a short domination of
the Popes, the area was captured by the Venetians in 1464. In
1540 it was occupied by the Turks and its decline became more
evident. In 1690 it was given over to the Venetians and in 1715
was recaptured by the Turks. It was the first among the fortified
towns of the Peloponnese to be liberated by the Greeks in 1821.
The most important monuments of the site are:
The settlement which is divided into two sections, built
at different levels, each with a separate fortification. Remains
of numerous Byzantine and post-Byzantine buildings are preserved
in the area of the Upper Town which is not inhabited today.
Church of Aghia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) at the Upper Town.
Lower Town.
The area is inhabited today and many of the ruined buildings have
been restored by the 5th Ephorate. The settlement is surrounded
by a U-shaped fortification wall with two gates, one on the east
and one on the west side, and a small exit to the sea.
Church of Christ Helkomenos
Domed, three-aisled basilica with a barrel-vaulted roof, a narthex,
a built synthronon, and an episcopal throne. Significant portable
icons of the post-Byzantine period are preserved in the interior.
Moslem Mosque.
It was built in the first period of the Turkish occupation (16th
century), was converted into a Frankish church during the Venetian
occupation, and again became a mosque in the 18th century. It
has been restored and houses the Archaeological Collection of
Monemvasia.
Within the area of the Castle of Monemvasia, which is itself a museum,
the remaining monuments (Castle, fortifications, important churches,
houses, public buildings, Ottoman hamams, cisterns), which had attracted
the attention of the scientific research, indicate Monemvasia's
glorious past and highlight its historical route. However, information
was missing for many different aspects of the inhabitants' life.
The permanent exhibition was organized in order to present to the
public archaeological finds from both gathering and excavating into
the Castle. They include historical testimonies of human activity
and artistic life which developed here, from the early Christian
years until the late centuries of Turkish occupation, but they also
suggest the commercial and cultural contacts of Monemvasia with
other parts of Greece or abroad.
The main purpose of the exhibition is to promote elements for public
life, through a group of sculptures belonging to the surroundings,
as well as for private life, through a group with miniature works
of art and pottery.
A different group consists of architectural sculptures from churches,
the most important being those from Agia Sofia (12th century), which
cannot be re-laid to their original position because of alterations
in certain parts of the church (door-frame, part of an iconostasis
etc.).
On the south internal wall, a marble iconostasis has been reconstructed
and exhibited. It is dated to the end of the 11th century, and comes
from a mid-Byzantine church, the oldest in the area of the Castle.
The exhibition ends with the showcases of ceramics, domestic
articles and personal items, such as those of a smoker. That is,
with a jump to the items involved with private life and give information
about it.
