Mistra Attractions
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The village of Mistra, 7km/4.5mi from Sparta, lies below the ruins of the medieval town of Mistra, built on an outlying hill of the Taygetos range, which provides the most complete picture we have of a town of the late Byzantine period (13th-15th C.).
The castle of Mistra was built in 1249 by Guillaume II de Villehardouin, but in 1263, having been taken prisoner by the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII, he was compelled to yield it up to the Emperor, together with the castles of Maina and Monemvasía. Thereafter, until the Turkish conquest in 1460, Mistra was ruled by Byzantine princes, who bore the title of Despot, the second highest rank in the Empire (after the Basileus but above Sebastokrator and Caesar).
Below the Frankish castle on the summit of the hill there grew up first the upper and then the lower town.
The castle of Mistra was built in 1249 by Guillaume II de Villehardouin, but in 1263, having been taken prisoner by the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII, he was compelled to yield it up to the Emperor, together with the castles of Maina and Monemvasía. Thereafter, until the Turkish conquest in 1460, Mistra was ruled by Byzantine princes, who bore the title of Despot, the second highest rank in the Empire (after the Basileus but above Sebastokrator and Caesar).
Below the Frankish castle on the summit of the hill there grew up first the upper and then the lower town.
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Mitrópolis
The Mitrópolis was built in the early 14th C and is where Constantine XI Dragases was crowned Emperor. Among the church's treasures is an ancient sarcophagus carved with Dionysiac scenes.
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Palace of the Despot (Nauplia Gate)
The Byzantine Palace of the Despot was said to be built by Guillaume de Villehardouin. The Nauplia Gate is located a short distance west.
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Pantanassa Convent
The Pantanassa Convent is a functioning convent and is located near the 15th C Pantánassa church.
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Vrontókhion Monastery (Ayii Theódori Monastery)
The Vrontókhion Monastery dates from the late 13th C and has wonderful frescoes and relief sculptures.