Nektarios Mastoropoulos

Monemvasia Nektarios Mastoropoulos

MONEMVASIA: heir to ancient Sparta, the invincible city-state of the Middle Ages, a stronghold of Christianity and Byzantium. Includes a tour of the fortress - city of Monemvasia followed by a foot journey through the wider area: The Vatika - the valley of Asopos and Molaoi - the highlands of ZarakasNatural and historical surroundings, local products. Foreword: "Geologically, Thera is composed of pumice stoneand porcelain ..." (Pausanias, 2nd c. AD). The above extract from the Guide to Greece from which G. Seferis quotes at the beginning of his poem, "Santorini - The Naked Child," kept running through my mind years ago. It was then that I decided to give an answer in relation to the creation and history of Monemvasia. In particular, what are its special features and the very essence of its existence throughout the centuries?My desire to answer the above questions led me to write this book on the city where I was born and whose unique course makes it exceptional in the history of the Greek nation. I present this brief historical guide with love and respect. At the same time I embrace the wider area with strolls to unique sites whose millennia long history and unparalleled nature make them worthy of being global destinations and models of sustainable tourism: Monemvasia, the Vatika, the valley of Asopos and Molaoi and the highlands of Zarakas. It is hoped that they are the very first ones to appreciate the unique heritage of their homeland. It is this heritage that we owe today to manage in the best possible manner and of which first, of course, we need to get to know.