Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LANGADA PASS ΟΡΕΙΝΗ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΗ ΛΑΓΚΑΔΑ
If you have time and your own wheels, the 59km Sparta-Kalamata road is one of
the most stunning, if time consuming and winding, routes in Greece, crossing the
Taÿgetos Mountains by way of the Langada Pass.
The climb begins in the village of Trypi , 9km west of Sparta, where the road
enters the dramatic Langada Gorge . To the north is the site where the ancient
Spartans left babies too weak or deformed to become good soldiers to die (see the
boxed text, Click here ) .
The road then follows the course of the Langada River before climbing sharply
through a series of hairpin bends to emerge in a sheltered valley. This is a good
spot to stop for a stroll among the plane trees along the riverbank. The road then
climbs steeply once more, to the high point of 1524m, crossing the boundary from
Lakonia into Messinia on the way. The descent to Kalamata is equally dramatic.
TOP OF CHAPTER
MonemvasiaΜονεμβάσια
Vast, imposing, spectacular Monemvasia (mo-nem-vah- see -ah or mo-nem- vah -see-ah) is
the Greek equivalent to France's Mont Saint-Michel. This perfect fortress is an iceberg-
like slab of rock moored off the coast, with sheer cliffs rising hundreds of metres from
the sea, and a single, highly defendable causeway.
These days Monemvasia incorporates both the rock, whose medieval village is en-
closed within the walls of the rock's kastro, plus the modern mainland village of Gefyra
just across the causeway. In summer both places brim with visitors (only around 7 people
live in the kastro ). Fortunately the extraordinary visual impact of the medieval village in
particular - and the delights of exploring it - override the effects of mass tourism. The
staunch communist poet Yiannis Ritsos was born here.
From Gefyra you can see little of the fortress. But cross the causeway and follow the
road that curves around the side of the rock and you will come to the official entrance, a
narrow tunnel in a massive fortifying wall. The tunnel is L-shaped, so the magical town
is concealed until you emerge into its narrow artery (with a maze to explore) on the other
side.
History
 
 
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