Lazareto Hotel

The Lazareto Hotel is a hotel built by Giannis Traiforos, in 2000, on the site of a ruined building complex at the foot of the Rock by the sea, at the entrance of Monemvasia, 100 meters after the bridge that connects the Rock with the mainland.

The 18th century building, which functioned as a disinfectant, the Lazaretto, today is an excellent guest house with lush gardens that contrast with the arid and rocky landscape of Kastropolis. Indeed, Lazareto Hotel's outdoor area and shared terraces are in the most privileged position of Monemvasia with tall pines giving their thick shade to hotel guests. Olives, vines, fruit trees, jasmine and holy climates, give their beauty while the sea breeze, on both sides, cools the hot Rock of the Castle. The view from the highest point of the garden of 8 acres to the sea and the new city is impressive.

Situated 12 minutes on foot from Monemvasia Castle and 5 minutes from the city center, Lazareto Hotel is located between the Old and the New. The 15 rooms of the hotel are equipped with a minibar, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a work desk for a pleasant stay in Monemvasia.

Wanting to trace the history of Lazareto, its owner and good friend Giannis Traiforos, refers us to historical archives. Referring to facts of the time and in particular to his letter Marco Loderan, General Ombudsman of the Republic of Venice on 26 April 1709, we learn the following:

«From the maturity of the excellent Francesco Grimani, who has always supported the Basel's strategy, instructions on hygiene issues have been issued and the places where the disinfectants will be erected for the sterilization of the area have been identified. As far as Monemvasia is concerned, the sea junction and capital of the province of Laconia, having not even started yet, the difficulty arises from public and private prejudice. each year to pay these materials as a tax on public works… In addition it should recruit experienced people to help the construction itself, in order to achieve the best cohesion…»

Giannis Traiforos is one of the strongest personalities of Monemvasia and has contributed decisively to its development.

«Born in 1949, from a young age I helped my father, originally from Kynouria, who was a builder, when in the 1960s the first houses began to be rebuilt and bought by Greeks and foreigners. I was a troubled young man, I rebelled and in 1970 I left and went adventurously to America, got married and later returned to Monemvasia. I bought ruins, restored them and then sold them. I also bought some for myself, what my daughters have, the Byzantine, the Venetian, etc. I took Lazaretto in 2000 as a ruin - had ceased to function as a disinfectant at the beginning of the 20th century - and in a short time I operated it. A little later, I bought the next building that El. Venizelos in 1920 - the hotel of the time - I also renovated it and connected it with the Lazareto Hotel».

Giannis Traiforos, generous and open-hearted, has many friends from all over the world, politicians, ambassadors, businessmen and they do not want to meet him when they arrive in Monemvasia and not to be hosted in his wonderful environment.

And if the first renovation in 2000 turned a ruin into a decent, hospitable hostel, nowadays Giannis Traiforos has personally undertaken its transformation into a hostel of high standards, so that Lazareto Hotel to become worthy of the historicity of the place, but also of its privileged location, at the entrance of the rock of Monemvasia, of the beautiful view it has, but also of the beautiful garden that it has.