The project “Designation of the area of Agia Sophia church and the Central Gate of Ano Polis in Monemvasia” was implemented initially by the 5th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities and then by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Laconia.
As far as these particular projects are concerned, a neighborhood was discovered and designated in Ano Polis, including the cluster developed in the central gate along with individual spaces, as well as the nearby anonymous temple, two residencies (Residences 1 and 2) and a street network, which connects the gate with the most glamorous byzantine monument of Monemvasia, namely the church of Agia Sophia or Virgin Mary Odigitria. These monuments constitute an interesting unit in the residential complex of the Castle Town, providing with an intuitive, instructive way, information for the organization and ministration of the town-castle with a continuity spanning from the 6th to the 19th c. At the same time, the creation of small alfresco herbarium units designated the significance of the local flora.
