The late Byzantine city of Mystra, the modern city of Sparta and echoes of the ancient city-state – all in the foothills of mighty Mt Taygetos.
Fought over for centuries by Franks, Venetians, Byzantines and Ottomans. Capital of the Despotate of the Morea, in the heart of the Peloponnese – a final outpost of the defeated Byzantine emperors. A bridge from antiquity to the Renaissance. Triumphant victories and humiliating defeats, but also the wisdom of philosophers and artists of Ancient Greece. The restored buildings within the castle of Mystra invite you to relive their history. Nearby, modern Sparta links yesterday with today. The ruins of the militarist state that gave birth to so many legends of fearless courage, laconic speech and true grit are just a stone’s throw away. Live history!
What to do in Mystra
Mystra: journey to Byzantium
The road twists and turns. As you travel to the Peloponnese, you can see the remains of the Byzantine castle-state from afar, clustered on the steep hillside. Stout walls, church domes, houses, monasteries, palaces stand out in relief against the sloping earth. Once you walk up the cobbled paths, enter the churches and admire their frescoes - you’ll succumb to the charm of this abandoned city. It represents the apex of 14th-15th century Byzantine architecture. In 1989, Unesco added Mystra to its World Cultural Heritage catalogue.
In the Palace of the last Byzantine emperors
By the end of your visit, you’ll be familiar with a great chunk of Greek involving the Cantacuzenos and Palaiologos families, who ruled over the Peloponnese from 1349 to 1460.
Their palace lies on the only flat expanse near the top of the hill and is a rare example of civic Byzantine architecture, with additions from different periods. You can distinguish the two wings erected by the Cantacuzenos and Palaiologos despots. Their kingdom was called the Despotate of the Morea. Civilisation flowered here and when the Ottomans conquered it, its luminaries and artists fled to Italy and contributed to the rebirth of ancient Greek culture.
Agia Sophia, the palace chapel
Agia Sophia, in the Upper Town of Mystra, seems to have been the church of the monastery of Zoodotos Christos, which was founded by the first Despot, Manuel Cantacuzenos, in the mid-14th century. Step inside this church and the others on the hillside and look at the frescoes. The Pantanassa, considered the most beautiful, still functions as a nunnery.
Neoclassical Sparta, modern city, ancient roots
Today’s Sparta grew up south of the centre of Ancient Greece. It was laid out from the start by Bavarian architects according to the model of neoclassical town planning that prevailed in mid-19th century Europe. This gives it a pleasant, spacious feeling. As you walk around, note the neoclassical Town Hall of 1907 and the old Palace of Justice in the main square, and the Leonidion monument on Agidos street.
Many believe that the bones of the kings of Sparta and the heroes of Thermopylae still lie buried here. A bust of Leonidas stands at the entrance to the National Stadium, while behind it you’ll visit the park that contains the ancient acropolis and the Roman theatre. Climb up to the acropolis and you’ll see the modern city spread out below you like a chessboard.
Hidden gems of Mystra
Kaiadas: Chasm of death
Both Pausanias and Thucydides wrote that the Kaiadas chasm was where the Spartans executed criminals, traitors, prisoners and possibly even deformed infants. To see it, go to the village of Trypi (‘hole’) west of Sparta, drink from the springs and then pick your way up the 118 steps to get to the notorious pothole-cave. It’s naturally ‘air-conditioned’.
The Museum of the Olive and Greek Oil
Laconia’s newest museum is housed in a handsome, two-storey, stone building of the former electricity company. A museum of this kind could only exist in the Peloponnese. Beautifully designed and informative, this could not be a better introduction to the history and culture of the olive and olive oil production in Greece and its uses in cooking, health, art and religion. Don’t miss it.
Church Of Panagia Langadiotissa
Just 15 minutes’ walk from the village of Parori, you’ll come to the cave which opens onto the Langadiotissa Gorge. Right at the end of it, built into the limestone, is the little church, which has paintings from 1920. It’s an authentic attraction and deeply devout.
Fought over for centuries by Franks, Venetians, Byzantines and Ottomans. Capital of the Despotate of the Morea, in the heart of the Peloponnese – a final outpost of the defeated Byzantine emperors. A bridge from antiquity to the Renaissance. Triumphant victories and humiliating defeats, but also the wisdom of philosophers and artists of Ancient Greece. The restored buildings within the castle of Mystra invite you to relive their history. Nearby, modern Sparta links yesterday with today. The ruins of the militarist state that gave birth to so many legends of fearless courage, laconic speech and true grit are just a stone’s throw away. Live history!
What to do in Mystra
Mystra: journey to Byzantium
The road twists and turns. As you travel to the Peloponnese, you can see the remains of the Byzantine castle-state from afar, clustered on the steep hillside. Stout walls, church domes, houses, monasteries, palaces stand out in relief against the sloping earth. Once you walk up the cobbled paths, enter the churches and admire their frescoes - you’ll succumb to the charm of this abandoned city. It represents the apex of 14th-15th century Byzantine architecture. In 1989, Unesco added Mystra to its World Cultural Heritage catalogue.
In the Palace of the last Byzantine emperors
By the end of your visit, you’ll be familiar with a great chunk of Greek involving the Cantacuzenos and Palaiologos families, who ruled over the Peloponnese from 1349 to 1460.
Their palace lies on the only flat expanse near the top of the hill and is a rare example of civic Byzantine architecture, with additions from different periods. You can distinguish the two wings erected by the Cantacuzenos and Palaiologos despots. Their kingdom was called the Despotate of the Morea. Civilisation flowered here and when the Ottomans conquered it, its luminaries and artists fled to Italy and contributed to the rebirth of ancient Greek culture.
Agia Sophia, the palace chapel
Agia Sophia, in the Upper Town of Mystra, seems to have been the church of the monastery of Zoodotos Christos, which was founded by the first Despot, Manuel Cantacuzenos, in the mid-14th century. Step inside this church and the others on the hillside and look at the frescoes. The Pantanassa, considered the most beautiful, still functions as a nunnery.
Neoclassical Sparta, modern city, ancient roots
Today’s Sparta grew up south of the centre of Ancient Greece. It was laid out from the start by Bavarian architects according to the model of neoclassical town planning that prevailed in mid-19th century Europe. This gives it a pleasant, spacious feeling. As you walk around, note the neoclassical Town Hall of 1907 and the old Palace of Justice in the main square, and the Leonidion monument on Agidos street.
Many believe that the bones of the kings of Sparta and the heroes of Thermopylae still lie buried here. A bust of Leonidas stands at the entrance to the National Stadium, while behind it you’ll visit the park that contains the ancient acropolis and the Roman theatre. Climb up to the acropolis and you’ll see the modern city spread out below you like a chessboard.
Hidden gems of Mystra
Kaiadas: Chasm of death
Both Pausanias and Thucydides wrote that the Kaiadas chasm was where the Spartans executed criminals, traitors, prisoners and possibly even deformed infants. To see it, go to the village of Trypi (‘hole’) west of Sparta, drink from the springs and then pick your way up the 118 steps to get to the notorious pothole-cave. It’s naturally ‘air-conditioned’.
The Museum of the Olive and Greek Oil
Laconia’s newest museum is housed in a handsome, two-storey, stone building of the former electricity company. A museum of this kind could only exist in the Peloponnese. Beautifully designed and informative, this could not be a better introduction to the history and culture of the olive and olive oil production in Greece and its uses in cooking, health, art and religion. Don’t miss it.
Church Of Panagia Langadiotissa
Just 15 minutes’ walk from the village of Parori, you’ll come to the cave which opens onto the Langadiotissa Gorge. Right at the end of it, built into the limestone, is the little church, which has paintings from 1920. It’s an authentic attraction and deeply devout.
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