What to See in Mystras Archaeological Site in Greece
Archaeological site of Mystras was the 9th site that was added to Greece’s prestigious list of UNESCO Heritage sites. Even though located on a remote part and a detour necessary to reach it, Mystras figured in our itinerary. Couldn’t let go of the opportunity to see the stunning remains of Byzantine period.
Other names of Mystras – Myzithrasin chronicle of Morea, Wonder of Morea. If statistics mean anything to you know this that 40,000 people lived in this ancient settlement centuries ago while today only around 16,000 people live in modern Sparta.
How to tour Mystras Archaeological Site
Visiting Mystras need a bit of planning; especially because the deserted Byzantine City is scattered on Mount Taygetos. So, you realize you have a whole mountain to explore?!
There are 2 gates to this site. Tickets are given at the lower gate. Those who are driving can drive to the higher gate; from here you can visit the upper city, the hilltop ancient city. Then drive down to lower gate and visit lower city of Mystras, modern village that has developed in the lower part of the hill.
For those who love hiking it will be a breeze to go through the maze of alleyways, flights of worn out steps here and there, and small arched passages.
Sorry to disappoint but Mistra Greece is not a friendly terrain for people with mobility issues and has breathing problems.
What to see in Mystras Archaeological Site
It would have been mind boggling and tricky deciding from where to start and how to go about touring the various sites of Mystras had it not been for the map they handed to us along with the tickets at the entrance. The map to a great extent helps to decide what to see in Mystras archaeological site.
The worn out paths were clear indications of the route to be taken. And we went from one point of interest to another, 17 of them! If you are curious and adventurous enough you will find couple of other unmentioned places too.
A minimum of 4 hours here can do some bit of justice to this archaeological treasure. You can leisurely walk through history here if you can afford to spare more time for breathtaking ruins of Mystras.
However if you are really short of time choose the highlights in the map and plan your route to explore the ruins and what to see in Mystras Archaeological Site. I have stressed on the must see sites of Mystras below.
Must see sites in Mystras Greece
Ruins of magnificence of once rich city, Mystras! In each of the ruins you will find a harmonious mix of different architectural styles. The more I saw more I was convinced this is not a wayside stop but a treasure house of rich medieval past from 13th to 15 century.
Palace of Despots – This palace was the second most important palace of the Byzantine Empire, after Constantinople. It was the house of the Despot of Mystras and it is located on the highest spot of the site.
Archaeological Museum – The Museum of Mystras hosts mostly ecclesiastical items from the Byzantine period. It is close to Agios Demetrios Cathedral.
Monastery of Panagia Perivleptos – The Monastery of our Lady Perivleptos has fine wall paintings made in the late 14th century. The catholicon (main church of the monastery) has cross-in-square style. It is built into rocks and little away from the main sights. You have to search it out.
Caver of Keadas
Keadas Cave is an eerie reminder of past!
Keadas Cave ancient is located on the eastern side of Mount Taygetos, at an altitude of 750m. You get a panoramic view of the valley of Sparta. A steep ravine, according to the historian Plutarch, it is believed that this cavern is where the ancient Spartans used to throw their incapable children, criminals, traitors and war prisoners. That is because they need only strong Spartan warriors!
Keadas Cave location is close to the village of Tripi.
Old Churches in Mystras Greece
Cathedral of Agios Demetrios – This is one of the most important churches of Mystras. It was founded in 1292 AD. Notice the mixed architectural style of this cathedral: It has a 3 aisled basilica with a narthex and a bell tower on the ground floor.
The upper floor is a cross-in-square church which was added in the first half of the 15th century. Interior is stunningly decorated with wall paintings of different styles. Last Byzantine emperor, Constantinos Paleologos, was crowned here in 1449.
Church of Agia Sophia – This is definitely not to be missed. The Byzantine church of Agia Sophia dates from the mid-14th century. Lovely wall paintings and it is made of stone, probably one reason how it withstood the torture of time.
Church of Agioi Theodoroi – This was built in the 13th century and belongs to the octagonal type with lateral chapels. Its 8 prop dome is most impressive and worth capturing it in one frame from a distance.
Church of Panagia Hodegetria – The church of our Lady Hodegetria, meaning the “Leader of the Way”, was built in 1310. It has very colorful interiors with paintings depicting scenes from Bible. Some of the stories they portray are: the healing of the blind man, the wedding in Kana. The grave of Emmanuel Paleologos is found in this chapel.
Church of Panagia Pantanassa – The Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa has an impressive catholicon and a tall bell tower. Today it is inhabited by the nuns. Architecture is a combination of Byzantine and Gothic styles. Its fine frescoes date from the 14th century.
History of Mystras Archaeological Site
Mystras was the capital of Byzantine Despotate of Morea in Greece. In 1249 Franks built a castle on this hill of Mount Taygetos range to control the Laconia valley located directly below it. Soon a settlement flourished around it.
In 1262 Franks surrendered it to the Byzantines. The prosperity of the region continued. During this period several churches, Palace of the Despots and over 2000 houses were built.
After the rule of Byzantine dynasty till 1453 the place was taken over by Turks.
In 1687 the city was captured by the Venetians under Morosini. Yes, the same person who blew up the Parthenon, Athens!
How many days for Lakonia Greece
Mystras Greece is a medieval castle town in the Heart of the Peloponnese, often ignored by tourists in Greece. You need dedicated one week of itinerary to explore and soak in the ancient sites of Mystras and Sparta (capital of Lakonia).
Location of Mystras
Mystras is located on the deserted Byzantine city on Mount Tagetos, near Sparta on Lakonian Plain. The location of Mystras is such that Taygetos overlook Lakonia region. Mystras is located 5 km away from Sparta city.
How to reach Mystras
If you are staying in Sparta (Sparti), you can hike to Mystras. It is 5 km by road. Driving will save you some energy to hike around in Mystras.
Mystras is 218 km south-west of Athens. It will take 3 hours by road.
Travel tips to tour Mystras
- Stay in Sparta can give you an early start before the crowds pour in after 3 hour road trip from Athens.
- Take water as there is good amount of walking and climbing within the site.
- There is a dress code to visit the monasteries in Mystras. No show of thighs, shoulders and cleavage.
- You can rent pashminas at the entrance.
- Plenty of guest houses, restaurants in the plains around. We stayed in a hotel in Sparta.
Best Time to visit Mystras
We visited Mystra in peak of winters, in December. Parts of the site were covered with snow, but all that hiking kept us warm. Summers can get unbearably hot during midday. Best time to avoid July to September when it is hot in the Laconian plains. If you are visiting during this peak season try to reach when it opens at 8AM.
Tickets to Mystra
Entrance to Mystras is €12 during the summer months while winter admission is €6. The site is free to enter on the first Sunday of the month from November to March.
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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald and more. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
I have not heard of this place either. I love the architecture. I’m such a sucker for arches and stone buildings.
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this! I LOVE Greece, but when I was there I, unfortunately, didn’t have time to visit Sparta. Next time I want to make it work though. There are just so many ancient and fascinating sites to see in Greece!
This is definitely an attraction I would love to visit when touring this destination. It is not only fascinating history but a photographer’s dream with so many interesting capture opportunities, like you have done. It seems to be a bit of a hidden gem, even despite its UNESCO World Heritage site status. I am pinning this for future planning reference.
Useful info- I would prefer to hike from nearest city where possible.
Thank goodness for tourist maps! I can see how you’d easily get lost in there and not actually tick off all of the points of interest without some sort of guide. The architecture is just beautiful, in contrast to some of the stark realities of the time. Such as having a place to throw incapable children and prisoners!
I ama sucker for UNESCO sites and this one looks like a must-see. Although I’ve never heard of Mystras Archaeological site, it looks so amazing and full of history. Everything looks so well preserved, but I like how you can see the passage of time through the art on the wall and frescos!
I had not heard of the Mystras Archaeological site before. Maybe because of its remote location. It certainly looks like it would be worth the hike to see the 17 sites scattered up the hills. Good thing you had a good map to follow. I was surprised to see your pics of many parts of the ruins in good shape. And colours still visible inside and outside. Definitely a great day trip if we visit Sparta.