Mystras, one of the most imposing and world-famous historical castle towns of the Peloponnese, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Municipality of Sparta, Laconia, built amphitheatrically on a steep hill at the northern foot of the imposing Taygetos at an altitude of 480 meters, which has rightly been described as the "miracle of the Morea" due to its unique Byzantine atmosphere. A landmark of the area is the legendary Castle City of Mystras that crowns the hill, built in the mid-13th century by the Frankish prince William II of Villehardouin, which later evolved into the powerful capital of the Byzantine Despotate of Mystras and was the last spiritual and cultural stronghold of Hellenism before the Fall, culminating in the coronation of the last emperor, Constantine Palaiologos. Today, Mystras enchants the visitor with the emblematic Palaiologos Palaces, the stone mansions, the medieval walls and the incomparably beautiful Byzantine churches with their amazing hagiographies —such as Pantanassa, Agia Sophia and the Metropolis (Agios Dimitrios)— while offering a breathtaking view of the Evrotas Valley and Sparta. With its trademark, the imposing Frankish Castle at the top of the hill and the lively modern settlement at the foot with its traditional hotels and taverns, it is a top destination for lovers of history, architecture and alternative activities, such as trekking on the paths of Taygetos.
