Mistra - Mitrópolis

Mitrópolis is Mistra's metropolitan or episcopal church. It is a three-aisled basilica erected in 1309. In the 15th century, following the model of other churches subsequently built in the town, the Mitrópolis was given a new upper story on a cruciform plan. Most of the vigorous paintings and the interior furnishings have been preserved. On the floor in front of the iconostasis is a carving of the Byzantine double eagle, traditionally believed to mark the spot on which Constantine XI Dragases stood to be crowned as Emperor on January sixth 1449, relinquishing his authority as ruler of the Peloponnese; after which he made his way to the beleaguered city of Constantinople to rule it as the last Christian monarch and to die fighting on the land walls when the Turks captured the city on May 29th 1453.

In the forecourt, which is flanked on two sides by arcades, with its open side towards the plain, is an ancient sarcophagus carved with Dionysiac scenes.

The former bishop's palace, which incorporates some fragments of ancient masonry, now houses a small museum. A grille on the outer wall of the church marks the spot where the Turks killed the Metropolitan after the Orlov rising of 1770.