Mystras: Byzantine heritage in palaces and churches

The fortified city of Mystras brings together Byzantine architecture, church art and a layered history of use. When planning your trip to Mystras, the museum, palaces, churches and archaeological walk offer a range of thematic highlights. This makes it easy to decide whether you would like to focus mainly on exhibits, architectural history, frescoes or the surrounding landscape.

Museum and the Palaiologan period

The exhibition at the Museum of the Archaeological Site of Mystras explores the connections between the Byzantine world and the West. Selected finds and objects from Mystras also illustrate the political and social realities, intellectual life and art of the Palaiologan period. The museum is located within the Archaeological Site of Mystras, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Palaces, churches and the history of the city

The castle and the residence of the castle commander stand on the hill of Mystras. In the Upper Town, the palaces of the despots rise among manor houses and numerous residential buildings dating from the 13th to the 15th century. The palace complex consists of two wings, built in different periods and later connected. Public gatherings were held in the square in front of the palaces; during Ottoman rule, it served as a market. Here, the history of the buildings and their former uses come together in specific places.

Peribleptos is the katholikon of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the mid-14th century, probably by Manuel Kantakouzenos, the first Despot of Mystras. Its frescoes are among the most significant ensembles of late Byzantine painting. Pantanassa is one of the most important monuments of the first half of the 15th century. Agioi Theodoroi was built between 1290 and 1295 and was the first katholikon of the Brontochion Monastery. Hodegetria (Afentiko) was completed between 1310 and 1320 and became the new katholikon of the Brontochion Monastery. In the palace district, Hagia Sophia was the katholikon of the patriarchal monastery of the Life-Giving Christ. Evangelistria is on the paved path leading from the Metropolis to the Brontochion Monastery.

Walks, landscape and hiking trails

The archaeological walk through Mystras follows paved lanes between the buildings of the fortified city. In spring, wild oregano, thyme and wildflowers grow there. The castle monuments offer views over the Sparta Valley and the peaks of Parnon and Taygetos. The walk therefore takes in both the city’s built layout and the surrounding landscape.

In the wider regional area, a hiking trail starts at the entrance to the village of Taygeti. It passes the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, Sela on the slopes of Xerovouna and Perganteika, and ends at Faneromeni Monastery after about two hours. The European long-distance path E4 continues through Taygeti towards Anavryti. If you are walking to Faneromeni Monastery, the approximate two-hour duration helps with planning; for the E4, the focus is on continuing towards Anavryti. Both routes are in the wider regional area and should be distinguished from the archaeological walk through Mystras.

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For the main travel guide: Laconia.