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Monemvasia is a unique Byzantine city located on a rock in the southern Peloponnese; the central fortified are 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.
About the author
Ann Eldridge lives in Monemvasia, a Byzantine city and archaeological site in southern Greece. The location and history is renowned and well-recorded. However, the social history of this unique community in such a wonderful setting is as important as it has been ignored. When founding the Monemvasia Society in 2005, Ann's aim was to establish a photographic archive of the lives of its residents, past and present. The collection now has over 20,000 images dating from 1881 to the present day. This book is the proof of her determination to recognise the role the community plays during periods of relocation and social change.
Summary
Twenty-five years of continuity and change in a unique Greek community observed through the lens of photographer, Poul Rasmussen 1929-93.
