Mystras: A tower town straight out of a fairy tale

The town offers breathtaking medieval ruins surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

The Byzantine castle town of Mystras is one of the most idyllic and romantic places you can visit in Greece, as it offers breathtaking medieval ruins surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

The archaeological site is located close to Sparta, in the region of Laconia. Nowadays, a new village has been built below the medieval castle, attracting large tourist crowds that want to explore this fascinating area.

The mystical tower town of Mystras, also known as the “Wonder of Morea” was built around a fortress erected in 1249. In the 14th century Mystras became the capital of the Despotate of Moreas and the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at this town before he came to the throne. The town was subsequently occupied by the Venetians and the Turks and it was abandoned in 1832.

Today, the visitor can wander around the city and admire the interesting architecture and the beautiful frescoes.

The Palace of the Despots, the houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the imposing Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantanassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos are some of the most important attractions in the area.

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