Agia Sofia

Monemvasia


In a spectacular clifftop position in the upper town, this foursquare Byzantine church was built in the 12th century. Its interior is richly decorated with wall paintings. It was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Monemvasia attractions

1. Kastro – Medieval Village

0.17 MILES

Almost wholly surrounded by ocean, Monemvasia's fortified medieval village is divided into the lower town, bisected by a main cobbled street lined with…

2. Monemvasia Archaeological Collection

0.18 MILES

This small museum housed in a former temple, Agios Andreas (596 AD), displays finds unearthed in the course of old town excavations, such as pottery from…

3. Kastania Cave

10.65 MILES

The extraordinary Kastania Cave, located at the end of a spectacularly winding 13km route northeast of Neapoli, contains some of the best examples of rare…

5. Petrified Forest

17.83 MILES

Amateur geologists will appreciated the petrified forest, an expanse of trees fossilised several million years ago. It's located on the coast around 16km…

6. Marathonisi Islet

27.06 MILES

According to mythology, tranquil, pine-shaded Marathonisi, connected to Gythio by a thin causeway, is ancient Cranae, where Paris (prince of Troy) and…

7. Shadow Theatre Museum

27.5 MILES

This beautiful little studio-museum-shop is run by personable local artist Giorgos Hassanakos. The small upstairs gallery pays homage to traditional…

8. Folkloric Museum

27.6 MILES

It may be compact, but this museum does a wonderful job of bringing to life the past residents of Gythio and the surrounding Mani. Themed rooms exhibit…