Medieval Monemvasia

Explore a hidden village full of surprises, history, and the wine of kings!

01

The Wine of Kings

The wine in Monemvasia, called Malvasia wine, is a famous wine that everyone must try. In fact, Shakespeare wrote about it in one of his plays where the Duke of Clarence drowned in Malvasia wine. Since then, kings and wealthy folk from around the world want to sip this wine. There is an annual wine festival commemorating this Malvasia wine in June!

02

Hidden in Plain Sight

Monemvasia is uniquely carved behind a rock in the middle of the sea. There is only once entrance to get in. It was built in this way to remain hidden from the mainland and avoid enemy attacks. If nobody told you, you wouldn't know it was there!

03

Many Rulers

Throughout time, Monemvasia has been under Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule. You can see some of these influences throughout the village.

Byzantine Mystras & Nafplio

Páme!