Cultural Activities - Monemvasia

Culture

The Municpality of Monemvasia, like other parts of the Peloponnese, boasts a large number of historic monuments that have survivied the passage of time. Ranging from prehistoric to classical, Byzantine to the more recent past, these include the unique medieval fortress of Monemvasia, with its well-preserved buildings of the Lower and Upper Towns, and the exhibits in the Monemvasia Archaeological Collection.

Meanwhile the folklore musuems of Velies and Riechia provide a wealth of information about the region’s daily life and culture.

The Christian tradition, another important aspect of the region’s history, is represented in dozens of churches and monasteries that are witness not only to the local population’s spiritual life but the skills of their master craftsmen and artists who built and decorated these places of worship.

Cultural life in the Muncipality of Monemvasia today takes the form of all kinds of events such as concerts, theatrical performances and art exhibitions. The biggest cultural festival is the Ritseia, a major celebration in summer dedicated to the poet Yannis Ritsos, Monemvasia’s most famous son, whose work has received recognition around the world.

One of the most important churches in the Monemvasia municipality, its construction began in 1962 after the abbot of the Longovarda monastery on the island of Paros, Achimandrite Filotheos Zervakos, whose home town was Pakia in the municipality, brought a relic of Aghios Nektarios granted by the then bishop of the Saronic islands, from a monastery dedicated to the saint on the island of Aegina.

Archimandrite Filotheos, who had been a student and friend of the saint, made the first donation towards the construction of the church, which officially opened in August 1963. Subsequently, the funds were generously supplemented by the residents of Sykia.

The patron saintʼs name day is celebrated with festivities on November 9, while on September 2 and 3 a commemoration of the relicʼs retrieval is held.

Local:
Sykea

Informations:

Summer time :08:00-12: 30 and 16:00 to 19:30

Winter :08:00-12: 30 and 15:00 to 17:30

Tel: 2732071206, 2732071220

Free entrance

Aghios Nikolaos village

The village of Aghios Nikolaos developed during the Byzantine period around the Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos Schineas, the remnants of which now constitute the church of the same name, which dominates the village square.

Built in the 11th or 12th century, it is a cross-formed church with a dome and narthex.

Almost all the interior wall surfaces are decorated with two layers of frescoes. The underlying one, visible at one point, probably dates from the early 13th century.

The general style of the decoration is linear. The figures depicted vary in style; some are tall, slim and elegant, others are short with disproportionately large heads. (Source: The frescoes of Aghios Nikolaos Monemvasias by N. V. Drandakis).

In the years up to the Greek War of Independence, the church was occasionally used as a school.

Access

The village of Aghios Nikolaos is about 15 km from Monemvasia on the road to Neapoli. Turn off at the sign to the village between Aghios Dimitrios and Talanta. Aghios Nikolaos is about 2 km from the turnoff.

Location:
Aghios Nikolaos village

Information:
Aghios Nikolaos is a parish church with services every second Sunday.

For visiting every other day please call: 2732053430

Free entrance.