Bill's Aviation Log

We arrived at our destination, Monemvasia, in late afternoon. As you can see, Monemvasia is what is known as a "tied island", connected to the rest of the mainland by a causeway 1,300 feet long. The causeway road goes to the island, then continues along the southern shore until it dead-ends at the walled town, on the southeast side.

Thanks to WhatsApp, we were able to meet our AirBnb host at the city gate. She had a car there. After dropping the luggage and passengers, I followed her back towards the mainland until I found a parking spot on the side of the road. Then she drove me back to the city gate. Is that great service or what?

This is our first look at the tied island of Monemvasia, almost at the end of the causeway and on the island.

Dave standing at the gate to the walled city of Monemvasia.

The gate was built in the 17th century, designed by the Ottomans who occupied the town, and Greece, in those days.

Then our AirBnb host walked with us to our lodging. There is absolutely no way we would have been able to find it without her assistance! She also had a guy take our luggage. This is Monemvasia's main street.

As you might have guessed, no cars here.

We arrive at our lodging. That's our AirBnb host, giving us the gouge. The apartment has three levels. This was the main level with kitchen and family room.

We had a stone deck-patio with a nice view of the Myrtoan Sea.

Now in the main square, looking north at what they call the Upper Town on top of the plateau.

"The architecture of Monemvasia has been influenced by a variety of styles over the centuries: Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman." ... Rick Steves

April 30, 2025 - Greece Monemvasia
We arrived at our destination, Monemvasia, in late afternoon. As you can see, Monemvasia is what is known as a "tied island", connected to the rest of the mainland by a causeway 1,300 feet long. The causeway road goes to the island, then continues along the southern shore until it dead-ends at the walled town, on the southeast side. Thanks to WhatsApp, we were able to meet our AirBnb host at the city gate. She had a car there. After dropping the luggage and passengers, I followed her back towards the mainland until I found a parking spot on the side of the road. Then she drove me back to the city gate. Is that great service or what? This is our first look at the tied island of Monemvasia, almost at the end of the causeway and on the island.

Founded in the sixth century, and thus one of the oldest continually-inhabited fortified towns in Europe, the town is the site of a once-powerful medieval fortress, and was at one point one of the most important commercial centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. The town's walls and many Byzantine churches remain as testaments to the town's history. Monemvasia was in decline in the 18th and 19th centuries but was rediscovered by tourists in the 1970s. A couple of postcards give nice aerial views of Monemvasia. The postcard at top shows the walled city of Monemvasia. The bottom postcard shows the mainland village of Gefyra at bottom left. Only a dozen or so people actually live in Monemvasia; most of the people who service the Monemvasia tourists live in Gefyra.

Dave standing at the gate to the walled city of Monemvasia. The gate was built in the 17th century, designed by the Ottomans who occupied the town, and Greece, in those days.

Lynnette and Dave waiting for me to come back from parking the car.

Then our AirBnb host walked with us to our lodging. There is absolutely no way we would have been able to find it without her assistance! She also had a guy take our luggage. This is Monemvasia's main street. As you might have guessed, no cars here.

Walking down main street. For a town that survives on tourism, Monemvasia was not overcrowded and there isn't much touristy stores, all selling the same thing, that we saw in Athens, or the French island of Mont St. Michel. We did find tasty food and wine in small restaurants.

After maybe 100 yards, we turned left and started uphill. We had not expected anything like this. What a neat place!

What can you say? Rick Steves says "Monemvasia is a honeycomb of cobblestone alleys and staiars."

Almost there.

We arrive at our lodging. That's our AirBnb host, giving us the gouge. The apartment has three levels. This was the main level with kitchen and family room.

Down below, the second and third levels were each a bedroom, with the bathroom at split-level. This, the bottom third level was our bedroom. Yes, that is a giant rock from the side of the mountain at the top of the bed, giving our Monemvasia lodging the award for most unique lodging on our Greece trip!

We had a stone deck-patio with a nice view of the Myrtoan Sea.

A Byzantine church and a better look at the Myrtoan Sea

As I said, no cars. Supplies are moved around by wheelbarrow-like contraptions like this. This is main street again, looking west.

One of the paths that run north-south, up and down the hill.

Looking northeast, up the hill, where remnants of a castle are visible.

Now in the main square, looking north at what they call the Upper Town on top of the plateau. "The architecture of Monemvasia has been influenced by a variety of styles over the centuries: Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman." ... Rick Steves

Looking downhill. Lots of stone. Old stone.

Yay, Monemvasia!


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April 30, 2025 - Greece Monemvasia

April 30, 2025 - Greece
Monemvasia