Pavlopetri, Greece

In the 50s of the 6th century, military commander Belisarius, who was famous during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, chose a high rock to build a fortification on it. The first inhabitants appeared in this area eight years later. These were the refugees from Laconia. During the reign of Constantine V, in the mid-40s of the 8th century, the Plague of Justinian appeared in the city. Just like fire, the infection didn’t have mercy on anyone. In 1147, Sicilian Normans tried to invade Monemvasia but locals resisted the attackers well, making the alien troops depart. When the Crusaders attacked the settlement, Monemvasia wasn’t powerful enough to defeat them and surrendered.

However, the Achaean reign didn’t last long, and the ruling king had to give his land to the Byzantine. At that time, the town was in war with the Crusaders for several years already. Monemvasia was in the epicenter of the battles. In 1293, the Aragonese admiral Roger of Lauria made a devastating attack on the town. The consequences were dreadful: a part of Monemvasia was in ruins, and adults were enslaved. In the coming centuries, the town changed several owners, including the Ottomans and Venetians. It didn’t matter who the new ruler was, local people were suffering and living in fear. They had to endure torture and plundering.
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