Saturday, Nov. 6

Αfter breakfast on the pension's terrace overlooking Nafplion, we headed up to the Palamidi fort for the outstanding view, including both older forts below.





We then headed south first circling the bay westward and up into the mountains and then down into the central valley and the city of Sparti.

Sparti is the site of historical Sparta which was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. From c. 650 BC it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece.

Given its military power Sparta was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars. Between 431 and 404 BC, Sparta was the principal enemy of Athens during the Peloponnesian War, which it won.

Sparta was unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, which completely focused on military training and excellence. Spartiates underwent rigorous training and education processes and Spartan phalanxes were widely considered to be among the best in battle. Spartan women enjoyed considerably more rights and equality to men than elsewhere in the classical world.

The abduction of Helen ("the face that launched a thousand ships.") by Troy's Paris brought about the Trojan War.

The fact that Sparta had no need for fortifications has meant that little of historical interest now remains from it's glory days.

After lunch we pressed on to the lower southeastern part of the Pelopennese and our destination of Monemvasia, arriving at sunset.

Monemvasia is reached by a single causeway and is known as Greece's Gibraltar, for obvious reasons. [Note the ruined fortress at the top.]





Monemvasia was never taken in battle; but of course its dependence on the mainland made laying siege and starving it out a piece of cake.

The only way into the town is through the small main gate. All cars are left outside the walls.





From a distance one immediately thinks of Mont St. Michel but once inside it's layout is very similar to Obidos, where many of Portugal's newlyweds chose to have their wedding photos taken.





Our lodgings here:
http://en.malvasia-hotel.gr/

-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Monemvasia, Greece