Acropolis & Fortification of the Castle City of Mystras
Description
The Impregnable Byzantine Refuge of Morea with its Double Walls and Dominant Acropolis
The Acropolis and Fortification of the Castle City of Mystras is one of the most imposing, historical and globally recognized monuments of the whole of Laconia, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the southern Peloponnese, occupying an extremely privileged and strategic location on a steep hill of Taygetos, which overlooks the entire Eurotas valley. The great advantage of the fortification is that it is the top example of Byzantine defensive architecture, having been originally founded in 1249 by the Frankish prince William II of Villehardouin, before passing into Byzantine hands to become the glorious capital of the Despotate of the Morea.
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- Fortification type: An authentic, double-walled castle-city with strong Frankish, Byzantine and later Ottoman influences, which is developed in three stages (the Lower Town, the Upper Town and the Acropolis). The fortress is designed to exploit the natural relief: it is surrounded by a strong external and an internal defensive wall, while at the top of the hill (at an altitude of 621 meters) the central Acropolis dominates. The entire system is reinforced by square and circular towers, ramparts and heavy, well-guarded gates.
- Suitable for: Families, students, architecture lovers, historians and travelers who wish to discover the grandeur of the late Byzantine renaissance. The area is traditionally renowned for its architectural ingenuity, as within its interior it hides the unique Palaces of the Despots, labyrinthine cobblestone streets, large underground water tanks (cisterns) for periods of siege, barracks and some of the most impressive Byzantine churches with rare, vibrant frescoes.
- Infrastructure: Exemplarily protected and restored by the Archaeological Service and the Ministry of Culture, operating as a single, organized archaeological site. Today, the buildings, towers and paths are constantly maintained, while the Museum of Mystras offers an in-depth look at the daily life of the castle city. The location offers easy access to the modern hospitality infrastructure of the new settlement of Mystras and neighboring Sparta.
- Access: Very easy by car to the two main entrances of the archaeological site (the Lower and Upper Gates), but requires good physical condition for hiking inside. The journey from Sparta takes just 10 minutes by car, while from Tripoli the distance is covered in about 50 minutes via the motorway. As the tour is done exclusively on foot on the uphill and stone paths, the use of the Upper Gate is recommended for those who want to approach the Acropolis more relaxed. Free parking spaces are available at both entrances.
Information