Monemvasia, Lower Town & Upper Town and Fortifications

Monemvasia is a medieval fortress town located on a small peninsula off th east coast of the Peloponnese in the prefecture of Laconia.  Most  likely founded in the 6th. century CE by people taking refuge from Slavic and Avaric invasions of Greece.  Monemvasia remained unter the control of the Byzantine Empire until 1471, when it was sold to the Pope by the Despot of Morea Thomas Paleologos.  In 1474 it was captured by Venice (1474-1540), then the Ottomans (1540-1690), then the Venetians again (1690-1715), and the the Ottomans (1715-1821), after which it was liberated with the rest of the Peloponnese.

Upper Town, Ayia Sophia, Turkish and Venetian Fortifications, Views of Lower Town