On the southern coast of the peninsula, looking onto the Mirtoo sea, stands the former Byzantine-Venetian fortress-state of Monemvassia, on its rockypromontory. From afar it looks as if it could be an island. ln Greek Monemvassia means one entrance: the long causeway joining it to the mainland was and is the only access to the rock. Time stopped here in the Middle Ages. Castles and ramparts, old mansions, little houses, narrow lanes paved with stone slabs, churches with crumbling facades, old low archways, semi-destroyed stairways. Every little detail calls up memories of Byzantium and the Venetians. Apses, escutcheons, imperial marble thrones, Byzantine icons (Christ in chains) give one the impression of an imaginary city, untouched by modern times. This delight in the past overcomes you and conjures up visions of princes and emperors, knights and bishops.
For Monemvassia is a revelation that leaves one with a heavy heart and a deep nostalgia, a feeling that one would like to stay here forever.