Monemvasia, with a fortress city upon it, the name simply means "single entry" as you can only enter by way of the causeway and in through the city gate wall. The city structures date to the 13th century with Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian history.
We walk around the side on the right and after about half a mile, we came upon the city walls.
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The core is well preserved, in some cases remodeled, but using all authentic preservations. The cats ruled the roost at this restaurant. We seem to notice when the cats look healthy and clean, they are part of the family.
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There is no ground water source, so from its 13th century origins, the city collected rainwater from the rooftop network of water capture systems. The water is guided into multiple cisterns around the city.
First rest stop...at the city square.
There were many churches all about, including on the square. To the right, a view of recent preservation work.
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On the left, below, we're all the way to the back wall. Now we look to find the way upward, and the ruins of the upper city. Today is yet another cardio work out.
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Rocks collected for reuse.
We've found the way, up along heavily polished stones to the top. Oh boy, this will be "fun" picking our way back down later, as we pass other visitors gingerly and slowly going down.
More recently partially restored stone works.
The ruins are spread over many acres of the top plateau of the "rock".
This zoomed in shot shows the 12th century Byzantine Church of Agia Sophia, even older than the city. We'll get other amazing views of it later.
We see remains of homes along the plateau.
The Aegean Sea sure looks blue from up here.
Another view of Agia Sophia, high above the sea, and we now notice the big drop off the side.
Heading back in the direction we started from the top, we find the path to the church. Unfortunately it's only opened on weekends, and today is not one of them.
Oh well, the Spring wild flowers are still in bloom.
Then we get motivated to climb more upward to explore the ruins of the Citadel, at the summit of the Rock. It seemed far, but we made it in about 25 minutes.
We see the mainland village where we are lodging.
A building that can be seen from far below from the mainland village.
See that reddish structure down below, that's another view of Agia Sophia.
Walls remaining of the long ruined Citadel fortress.
We then walked back down along the polished stones, as slow as we went up due to the slippery footing.
The tour is over, the work out done, still in one piece we head "home".
And, it's time for a swim, very cold and very rocky. Tim went in to his waist, to at least get the cold water therapy for the legs.
Our lodging provides a beautiful view of Monemvasia, and we have dinner on the balcony with a local wine. That mysterious tin was squid in tomato sauce, yeah, Tim didn't eat that.
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