Mystras

A Byzantine City that Ruled Over the Peloponnese

The site of Mystras, located near Sparta in the Peloponnese, is a captivating window into the medieval history of Greece. Founded in 1249 by the Frankish Prince William II of Villehardouin, Mystras quickly became an important political, cultural, and religious center. By the mid-14th century, it was the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea and a vibrant hub of knowledge and arts.

The ruins of Mystras are spread across a steep hillside, with the remains of its castle at the summit offering a picturesque image. Explore numerous well-preserved churches, monasteries, and palaces as well as mansions, that showcase the rich Byzantine architecture. The churches still have vibrant Byzantine frescoes adorning their walls. Notable structures include the Church of Agios Demetrios, where the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was crowned, and the Monastery of Pantanassa, still inhabited by nuns today.