Monemvasia, Nafpaktos and Ioannina sweep us away on a journey through time within their awe-inspiring castles and inspire us for Christmas getaways.
The castle towns of our country also make a wonderful idea for Christmas getaways. Impressive castles and walls, labyrinths of cobbled lanes, palaces, mansions and churches offer an atmospheric and romantic setting to experience the magic of Christmas. This time we tour three castle towns of mainland Greece that stand out for their beauty and grandeur. Monemvasia, Nafpaktos and Ioannina invite us for a stroll into their own era and inspire festive getaways.
Monemvasia
Within the medieval walls of Monemvasia lies one of the best-preserved and most vibrant castle towns in Greece. Monemvasias castle enchants visitors at first sight. And at this time of year, it has a special allure. The atmospheric cobbled lanes, the peal of church bells and the aromas of the local almond sweets compose a unique scene for festive getaways. Passing through the main gate, a leisurely wander begins through an immaculately preserved medieval settlement where old mansions and Byzantine churches coexist harmoniously with traditional guesthouses, dozens of shops, restaurants and cafés.
In the main square, with the famed cannon pointing toward the sea, youll find the Archaeological Museum, and youll also see the renowned Church of Christ in Chains, with rare icons, among which the Crucifixion stands out. In the Upper Town, on the edge of a cliff, 300 meters above the Myrtoan Sea, stands the Church of Agia Sophia that was built in the 12th century. From here, the view of Monemvasia and the sea unfurling at its «feet» is captivating.
Nafpaktos
Built between Antirrio and the mouth of the Mornos River, at the entrance of the Gulf of Corinth, Nafpaktos preserves its traditional character intact and transports the visitor back in time with its Venetian harbor and well-preserved castle. The Venetian harbor, with the two towers that close its entrance, is the citys landmark. It formed part of the fortifications of medieval Nafpaktos, while today it is a meeting point for the locals throughout the day.
The Venetian castle atop the hill enchants with the impressive view it offers. In fact, at night, with the illuminated Rio-Antirrio Bridge in the background, the spectacle becomes even more impressive. The castle of Nafpaktos is one of the best-preserved examples of fortress architecture in Greece. It owes its present form to the Venetians who built upon the ancient fortification, while the other «owners» added their own stamp.
Ioannina
Age-old history, cultural wealth, enchanting nature, gastronomic delights and youthful energy combine uniquely in the capital of Epirus. Ioannina is ideal for winter and festive getaways. Averof Street will lead you to the imposing Castle, which is built on the small rocky peninsula that juts into Lake Pamvotis. In the years of the Ottoman Empire, the castle of the city of Ioannina was the largest administrative center in all of Greece.
Today, within the walls breathes a city within the city: a magical neighborhood with labyrinthine alleys, old houses and an atmosphere of another era. The castle is divided into four sections: the outer enclosure, the NW citadel, where theAslan Pasha Mosque dominates, the SE citadel with the famed Its Kale and, finally, the Castle Town. On this walk you will see some of the citys most important attractions: the Aslan Pasha Mosque, which today houses the Municipal Ethnographic Museum, the Fethiye Mosque and the tomb of Ali Pasha, the excellent Museum of Silversmithing and the Byzantine Museum.
