Archaeological Collection of Monemvasia

About the museum

The Archaeological Collection of the Castle of Monemvasia is housed in a former mosque in the central square of the Lower Town, opposite the church of Christ Elkomenos. The building has had various uses over time before becoming a museum.

The exhibits come mainly from restoration works on the monuments and from surface surveys of recent decades. The collection consists mainly of architectural sculptures and ceramic objects of everyday use.

The stone sculptures date from the early Christian period (4th–7th century), the Byzantine period (mid-7th–15th century) and the post-Byzantine period (15th–19th century). Some of them come from the church of Agia Sophia and from a middle Byzantine church excavated in the Georgoulas house, with a marble chancel screen. The ceramics and small objects, such as household utensils and personal items, cover the period from early Christian times to the last years of Ottoman rule.

In the centre of the site there is a construction with a compass and a map of the castle, which guides visitors to the exhibits. Among the most impressive exhibits is a fully restored Byzantine chancel screen from the oldest church of the castle.

Highlights

• Fully restored Byzantine chancel screen from the oldest church of the castle
• Architectural sculptures from the church of Agia Sophia
• Sculptures from a middle Byzantine church with a marble chancel screen in the Georgoulas house
• Ceramics and small objects of everyday use up to Ottoman rule
• Housed in a former mosque in the Lower Town

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση: γλυπτά και καθημερινά αντικείμενα της Μονεμβασιάς – Architectural sculptures from the early Christian to the post-Byzantine period and ceramic objects of everyday life, with a restored Byzantine chancel screen as the central exhibit.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Λακωνίας

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Gefyra (the causeway) of Monemvasia the museum is about 20 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car; from Sparta about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. The car stays outside the entrance to the castle.

Amenities & dining

There are toilets on site. A car park is located outside the entrance to the castle.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit