CASTLE TOURISM IN MONEMVASSIA

If the word “castle tourism” denotes the trend to visit and experience life inside a castle, then Greece is the country with hundreds of medieval castles…..among which number one is considered the famous castle town of MONEMVASSIA. The unparallel combination of natural features and man’s skills has set on this rocky island a renowned castle town, which, despite sieges and wars, is inhabited even today. Not only is inhabited but it is one of the most romantic destinations for vacations.

Impressed by this imposing scenery of the town of Monemvassia Vassilis Dorovinis, while a university student, convinced his parents to buy this house complex. Later on Vassilis and his wife Ioanna Dorovinis, expert scientists in the field of preservation and enhancement of Historic Architectural, transformed part of the property complex into luxury, miniature vacation houses.

The two houses, TELESSILLA and ALKMENE, have recently been restored in an exemplary way, preserving and enhancing the unique structural and architectural features of each house and combining them with modern facilities and style.

Both houses are listed by the Ministry of Culture as Historic Buildings, and are officially registered under the National Tourism Organization of Greece.

The houses have access to small courtyards, are supported by small kitchens with all necessary utensils and cutlery to prepare a light meal or breakfast. They are distinguished for their stone built walls and vaulted roofs and their decoration with authentic pieces of neoclassical period. They are also equipped with WF Internet and cooled/heated with air condition.

Monemvassia Castle Houses

The DOROVINIS COMPLEX is dating at least from Venetian times (although the Byzantine frescoes of the chapel of St Andrew may prolong its origin to this back period). It is located in the central part of the town, neighboring with the Parish (Mitropolis) Church of “Elkomenos Christos”.

The complex is composed of
1. The main, 4 levels building, comporting the house of the owner (on the upper 3 levels) and the vaulted TELESSILLA house on the ground level (with private entrance from the lower walkway). The main building is built and adjusted to the rocky background of the town, folding down between the upper and the lower walkways. On the upper walkway there is the entrance of the main house and across it is found. 2. The detached vaulted house ALKMENE and 3. The chapel of ST. ANDREW with a small courtyard between them.