02/02/2025
Monemvasia, a town and municipality in Laconia, Greece. Town is located on a tied island off the east coast of Peloponnese, surrounded by Myrtoan Sea. It was in 6th Century AD, and thus one of oldest continually-inhabited fortified towns in Europe, town is site of a once-powerful medieval fortress, and was at one point one of the most important commercial centres in Eastern Mediterranean. Town's walls and many Byzantine churches remain as testaments to the town's history.
History of the town of Monemvasia starts with its name; it derives from words moni and emvasis that mean single passage. The name comes from the Venetians who saw that the only passage to the Castle Town of Monemvasia was through a paved walkway that they built. Before this walkway was constructed, the only way to go to the town was by boat.
Castle Town of Monemvasia was constructed in the Medieval Times. From that moment on, rich history of Monemvasia has been full of prosperity and glory, as well as declination and invasions. From 10th Century AD, it started to develop in economic terms, becoming an important trade and maritime center. Then, city bravely resisted the Norman and Arab invasions in mid 12th Century AD.
However, this was followed by another effort of invasion by William Villehardouin. Unfortunately, this time the town was defeated in 1249 AD, due to hunger caused by the three-year siege. Ten years after this, Michael Paleologus imprisoned Villehardouin, who recovered his freedom by taking the side of the Byzantine rule, helping them to regain the fortresses of Monemvasia, Mystras, and Mani.
This Byzantine rule benefited the development of Monemvasia in the economic, cultural, and military field. However, this gradual progress attracted the pirates causing the famous raid by the Catalans in 1292 AD. The efforts of keeping the pirates away brought inhabitants in touch with naval resources in terms of warfare. In 1419 AD, Venetian invasions caused decline of the Byzantine Empire. In 1460 AD, Mystras was being ruled by the Ottomans, leaving Monemvasia as the only city that kept its autonomy. In middle 15th Century AD, Venetians recaptured Monemvasia as it was considered a strategic point in the Aegean Sea.
Eventually, Monemvasia was sold to Ottomans in 1715 AD. Around 1770 AD, when the Russian-Turkish War occurred, Monemvasia started to fall apart economically. Monemvasia was finally liberated on July 23rd, 1821 and became part of the first Greek State.
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