Monemvasia, Monovasia, Malvouazi and Malmzy... A lot of different names for a unique and magical place!! In any case that "it strikes better to your ears", the word emanates from 2 word: "Abbey of Emvasis" or even "The only Entrance". And this because the castle of Monemvasia's had one and unique entry, from the time of it's creation.

The place is ideal for a castle! A wild, rocky and treacherus island which resembles a meteorite, fallen in the Lakonian sea. The first colonists exploited the natural peculiarity and they created a wooden, mobile bridge which made the island completely inaccessible from the outside world. Progressively the natural fortification was completed with man made walls. Because precisely of this peculiarity, it is impossible for a car to pass the gate of the castle.

The sea that surrounds the island is the Myrtoon Sea. In it's right you can distinguish the mountain range Camel, while More southern the mountains lead to the legendary cape of Maleas. in the old days the only way to travel to Monemvasia was with boat. Today there is the boat from Piraeus which connects Monemvasia with Athens two times a week, in approx. 5 hours. Alternative you can board a flying dolphin, which operate from the Marina of Zea in Piraeus.

From land, the distance that separates Monemvasia from Athens is 320km. From Athens you will need 4-5 hours with your car. You will follow the National Road of Athens-Corinthus- Athens Tripoli, passing through the Artemission tunnel. Then you follow the national road of Tripolis-Sparta (roughly 1 hour), and from there you have still 94 kilometres up to the end of your journey: the majestic Monemvasia