In the opinion of many, the castle town of Monemvasia is one of the most picturesque and attractive places in Greece. The unusual location of this settlement is one of the reasons why so many foreign tourists decide to visit Monemvasia. The town is built on a high rock that looks completely impenetrable at a glance. A devastating earthquake many centuries ago formed this rocky area. Nowadays, Monemvasia is widely recognized as one of the most interesting destinations in Greece and the Peloponnese. Having arrived in this town, tourists feel like they are in a medieval fairytale. Centuries-old streets of Monemvasia still have old buildings that are in good condition. In the 50s of the 6th century, military commander Belisarius, who was famous during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, chose a high rock to build a fortification on it. The first inhabitants appeared in this area eight years later. These were the refugees from Laconia. During the reign of Constantine V, in the mid-40s of the 8th century, the Plague of Justinian appeared in the city. Just like fire, the infection didn’t have mercy on anyone. In 1147, Sicilian Normans tried to invade Monemvasia but locals resisted the attackers well, making the alien troops depart. When the Crusaders attacked the settlement, Monemvasia wasn’t powerful enough to defeat them and surrendered. However, the Achaean reign didn’t last long, and the ruling king had to give his land to the Byzantine. At
…
Read further