Monemvasia
The Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos was a native of Monemvasia, and called it ‘the ship of stone’…
Αυτή η Μονοβασιά, αυτός ο βράχος ήταν για μένα το πέτρινο καράβι που με ταξίδεψε σε όλο τον κόσμο»
This Monemvasia, this rock, was for me the stone ship which conveyed me through all the world…
Monemvasia is an extraordinary place. In the middle ages, its particular geography made it easy to defend, and it was a proud city-state of independent bent, controlling most of the eastern prong of the Peloponnese and made rich through trade. In 1246 or 1247, the Prince of the Morea decided he wanted Monemvasia and a long siege ensued. The start of this siege is the backdrop for ‘The Ship of Stone’.
Monemvasia is almost a character in ‘The Ship of Stone’. It’s home for some characters and a prison for others, and an object of desire for Prince Guillaume. On this page I intend to explore the history and unique character of Monemvasia.
