Online Encyclopedia
Monemvassia
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Prefecture: | Laconia |
| Province: | Epidavros Limiras |
| Location: Latitude: Longitude: |
36.685/36°41'7' N lat. 23.053/23°3'14' E long. |
| Dwellings: | --> |
|
Population: (1991) - Total - Density¹ - Rank |
-78 -/kmē |
| Communes: | |
| Elevation: -lowest: -centre: |
sea level 15 m(centre) |
| Postal code: | 230 70 |
| Area/distance code: | 11-30-27320 (030-27320) |
| Municipal code : | 3213 |
| Car designation: | AK |
| Name of inhabitants: | Momenvasian sing., -s pl. Monemvasiot sing., -s pl. |
Monemvassia (Greek: Μονεμβασία, or Monemvasia, Malvasy) is a medieval fortress with an adjacent town, located on a small peninsula off the east coast of the Peloponnese in the Greek prefecture of Laconia. Remains include the defensive structures, the small adjacent town and Byzantine churches. Its name derives from two Greek words meaning "single entrance". The bay of Palaia Monemvasia is founded in the north.
| Contents |
Nearest places
- Agios Ioannis in Monemvasia
Communes
- Momenvasia
Historical population
| Year | Communal population | Change | Municipal population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 631 | - | |
| 1991 | 78 | -553/-87.64% | 3,950 |
From 1981 to 1991, the village had a huge decline in population, one of the most places that lost population in Laconia.
History
Middle Ages
The founding of the town and fortress of Monemvassia most probably occurred in the 6th Century CE, by people seeking refuge from the Slavic invasion of Greece. From the 10th Century CE, the town developed into an important trade, and maritime centre.
It was a Byzantine town that existed continuously under the domain of the Empire until the 14th Century, when the Empire fell. It was successively governed by Venetians and Ottomans in intervals:
- Venetian: (1460 - 1540)
- Ottoman: (1540 - 1690)
- Venetian: (1690 - 1715)
- Ottoman: (1715 - 1821)
The commercial importance continued for the town until the Orlov Revolt (1770) in the Russo-Turkish War, which saw its importance severly decline.
Modern times
The town was liberated from Ottoman rule on August 1, 1821, during the Greek War of Independence.
In more recent history, the town has seen a continuing resurgence in its importance with increasing levels of tourists visiting the site and the region.
Places of interest
- The Church of Hagia Sophia
External links
- History and Travel Information http://www.monemvasia.com
External links
- traveljournals.net - Myonemvasia http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/greece/map/m1212673/monemvasia.htm
- GTP - Monemvasia http://www.gtp.gr/LocPage.asp?id=9593
- GTP - Municipality of Monemvasia http://www.gtp.gr/LocPage.asp?id=9592
- Indexmundi - Monemvasia http://indexmundi.com/z/?lat=36.6833333=23.05&t=p&r=73480&p=monemvasia&cc=gr&c=g
reece.htm
| North: Kynouria ? | ||
| West: | Monemvasia | East: Myrtoan Sea |
See also:
| Municipalities of Laconia |
|---|
| Asopos | Elia | Farida | Geronthri | Gytheio | Krokees | Molaoi | Monemvasia | Mystras | Niata | Oinounta | Oitylo | Pellana | Laconia | Smynos | Sparta | Therapni | Voia/Vatika | Zarakas |
| Independent communes of Laconia |
| Elafonissos | Karyes |