Mystras
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site Of Mystras (1989) The Abandoned Byzantine Capital Of The Morea, With Frescoed Churches, The Despots' Palace And A Frankish Castle · Mystras, Peloponnese
Mystras is an abandoned Byzantine city spread down a steep spur of Mount Taygetos about 6 km west of modern Sparti. A Frankish prince built a castle on the summit in 1249; within a few years it passed to the Byzantines, and in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries it became the capital of the Despotate of the Morea and one of the last great centres of Byzantine art and learning, where the philosopher Gemistos Plethon taught. The last emperor, Constantine XI, is said to have been crowned here in 1449, four years before Constantinople fell. Today you walk down through lanes of ruined houses to churches with some of the finest late Byzantine frescoes anywhere, a convent where nuns still live, the restored Despots' Palace and the castle above. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. It suits anyone who likes art, history and walking; it is not a place for a quick look. Honest caveats: the site is steep, hot and very large, the frescoes are damaged in places, and it deserves half a day, not an hour.
Archaeological Site of Mystras on a spur of Mount Taygetos, about 6 km west of Sparti, Lakonia; lower gate and upper (castle) gate, Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece
State archaeological site of the Ministry of Culture. In summer (roughly April to October) it opens daily from about 08:00 to 19:00 or 20:00; in winter hours are much shorter, often closing around 15:00-16:00. Closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25-26 December, with shorter hours on some other holidays - confirm current hours. There are two entrances, the lower gate near Mystras village and the upper gate by the castle, both reached by road from Sparti (about 10-15 minutes). Buy tickets from the official Hellenic Heritage e-ticket system or at either gate; booking is rarely needed.