Mystras castle town, Peloponnese, Greece

Today we’re going to explore yet another Byzantine castle town of the Peloponnese: Mystras, which played an important role in the Byzantine Empire during its final centuries, until it fell to the Ottomans in 1460. Mystras location and view are breathtaking! You get to see the plains of Sparta. Sparta is the hometown of King Leonidas and the 300 warriors who fought the Persians at Thermopylae!  This Byzantine castle town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mystras’ History

The city was founded in 1249 by the ruler of the Frankish Principality of Achaea William II of Villehardouin, who built a strong fortress atop the naturally fortified hill of Myzithra in Sparta. Byzantines reclaimed the Peloponnese (and Mystras) in 1262 and became the rulers of the fortress. From then onward a brilliant period started for this medieval fortress state: the hill filled with houses, mansions and palaces, churches and monasteries and the densely populated city was enclosed by two walls.

Mystras castle town, Peloponnese, Greece

After the mid-14th century, members of the imperial family of Constantinopole assumed rule over Mystras. These families where the Kantakouzenoi (1348-1383) and the Palaiologoi (1383-1460). Under their rule, the Despotate of Mysrtas (as it was called) flourished and developed into an important cultural center closely connected with Constantinopole.

Mystras castle town, Peloponnese, Greece

Mystras’ decline started after 1460 when the Ottomans took over the Byzantine empire. The Venetians occupied it from 1687 to 1715, but otherwise the Ottomans held it until 1821 and the beginning of the Greek War of Independence. People abandoned the city Ifor the newly rebuilt town of Sparta in 1834.

Mystras Today

DSC_4666

Unlike Monemvasia, Mystras was attacked and destroyed many times. After modern Sparta was built, people abandoned the historical town. Today visitors gets to wander (and literally hike) among the ruins. You can visit the preserved churches and marvel the Byzantine frescoes. The Pantanassa monastery (prominent in the post’s first photo) in the middle of the “town” provides the visitor with amazing views over Sparta’s plain.

The archaeological site has 2 entrances: one for the lower part of the city and one for the upper part of the city the fortress (because hiking can take a really long time). The latter entrance provides access to Hagia Sofia church and the ruins of the church mint. The Palace where the lords of Mystras resided is in the upper part of the city. Unfortunately you cannot enter yet (Update June 2023) due to ongoing restoration.

Mystras is a 2,5 hour drive from Athens and just a 10 minute drive from Sparta. It’s beautiful during spring time, but I found it equally imposing in late summer/early autumn. You can find practical information about the archaeological site on the Ministry of Culture’s website.

Interested in more sites in the Peloponnese? Then check out my posts about Nafplio, Monemvasia and Elafonisos!

Mystras castle town, Peloponnese, Greece

37 Comments