Monemvasia: Through the Lens of Poul Rasmussen

Monemvasia is a unique Byzantine city located on a rock in the southern Peloponnese; the central fortified area is known as the Castro. Poul Rasmussen, a Danish photographer, captured a period of physical and social change between 1968-1992. The local families were deserting the old buildings of the Castro, and moving to the mainland for work and for a more modern way of life. Throughout this period, the Castro maintained the role as the heart of the community.

Poul Rasmussen (1929 – 1993) was a world famous Danish photographer. He became a permanent resident in the area in 1966. As a renowned international photographer, he photographed Monemvasia’s community life during a period of significant change. His portraits are a remarkable record.

He captured the changing face of the mainland village as the Castro was increasingly abandoned. Importantly, he shows the institutions of community life, the church and national and local festivals, were still taking place on the Rock, remaining the heart of this community. Collectively, the images display the last years of migration from the Castro, before the impact of tourism.