Cultural Activities

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.

Riechia Folklore Museum

Riechia Folklore Museum

The Riechia Folklore Museum was established in 1985 thanks to the efforts of local resident Giorgos C. Belesis.

Exhibits focus on the culture and history of the surrounding Zarakas region and include agricultural tools, handcrafts, costumes, photographs of social life in times gone by and from the lives of emigrants, along with publications from the period between the two World Wars.

The museum now belongs to the Municipality of Monemvasia and is housed in a two-storey stone building that is a typical example of the architecture of Zarakas.

Access
Riechia is 23 kilometres from Molai and 33 kilometres frim Monemvasia.  The museum is opposite the primary school. Parking space is available, and there is a bus service from Molai.

Location:
Riechia

Contact:
Open all year by appointment with the supervisor, Ms. Panagiota Lagi. Tel: (+30) 6973072475, (+30) 2732051121

Information:
Free entrance

16/05/2017 in Museums-Places to Visit, Places of interest Comments (0)

Ancient Asopos

Ancient Asopos

The ancient town of Asopos has been identified as the ruins on the small promontory southeast of the seaside settlement of Plytra. According to the inscriptions and excavations, the ancient town dates back to the late Hellenistic period. According to Pausanias, it was initially a member of the Lacedaemonian League and then the Free Laconian League.

Inscriptions also show that Gaius Julius Eurycles, the most important political figure in Laconia during the reign of Augustus, possessed land there.  Under Roman rule it was one of the most important towns on Cape Maleas and a major centre on the imperial Roman road network.  The town maintained its prominence at least until the early years of the Byzantine empire, according to contemporary sources and architectural remnants.

Ruins are still visible on the shore and on the seabed, as much of the ancient city is submerged. On the coast are tombs and at least two bath houses, one of which has mosaic floors and the ruins of other buildings and reservoirs.

On the sea bed southeast of the promontory and quite close to shore is part of a large Hellenistic structure, built of rectangular stone plinths sourced at ancient quarries nearby. The remains of what is possibly a submerged ancient mole are visible to the east of the promontory.

Location:
Plytra, near Asopos
Information:
Follow the sign to the archaeological site at the entrance to the port of Plytra. The land-based ruins are just a few metres further on, however the most impressive sights are underwater. Please note that scuba diving is not allowed, only goggles and snorkel.

Always open

Free entrance

 

15/05/2017 in Historic Sites, Places of interest Comments (0)