Modon

Modon is the name given by the “Francs” to the Greek city of the Peloponnese called nowadays Methóni.

History

The Middle Ages and modern time

Modon being located on the road towards their markets of the East, the Vénitiens were interested there as of XIIe century. In 1125, they launch one attack against pirates who had captured some Venetian merchants and settle in Modon.

The Venetian ones then strengthen Modon, which becomes an important shopping mall knowing a great prosperity. The city becomes a stage for the travellers going of Holy Land Venice. The Turks wanted however to take this city and, during the years 1490, the sultan Bayezid II gathers his troops for the attack. He however would not have arrived, in spite of a very hard seat, to take the city, if defenders had not deserted the walls, frightened by the arrival of new reinforcements. The Janissaires benefit from this advantage and invade the fortress since the palate of the governor. Modon falls on August 9th 1500, after having been in Venetian hands since approximately three hundred years. The city is set fire to, the bishop is killed, the men are decapitated, the women and the children sold in slavery. The walls are repaired and the first Turkish period can start.

The Venetian ones take again the city under Francesco Morosini, during the Turkish Great War of the years 1680. This second Venetian period does not last however a long time, since the Turks take it again in 1715. The decline of the city will be complete during the second Turkish period, the considerably being blown trade.

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