How to visit and what to see in Mistras, ancient medieval city in Greece

La ancient city of Mystras It is one of the best memories of the medieval times throughout Greece and one of the most interesting visits that can be made in a Peloponnese sightseeing trip.

Mystras It developed since the middle of the 13th century and experienced different periods of great splendor.

But in the 19th century the town was permanently abandoned and its inhabitants moved to the modern city of Sparta, which is about eight kilometers away.

Mystras It was frozen in time, and today its remains, suitably restored, form a very attractive complex full of churches, monasteries, palaces and mansions scattered along the steep slope of a hill at the foot of an imposing castle.

It should be mentioned that the name of the place appears written with different spellings in different publications, whether Master, Mistras o Mystras.

Curiosities history of Mystras in Peloponnese

But no matter how we write it, the importance and beauty of his remains is such that the Unesco He included it in 1989 on the list of World Heritage as it is a unique example of a Byzantine city and fortress.

The art and architecture that was created here had a great influence on the Eastern Mediterranean during centuries.

However, the origin of Mystras it is not due to the byzantines.

In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, the crusaders conquered and plundered Constantinople and created the Latin Empire.

El Principality of Morea, a vassal state of this new empire, dominated almost the entire Peloponnesus, so it was the princes of French origin who created this city.

In any case, the byzantines They recovered this territory decades later and converted Mystras in the “Florence of the East”.

Its princes, who had the title of “despot,” were direct relatives of the Byzantine emperors.

All of them stimulated artistic creation and turned their capital into a religious and intellectual center of the first order.

That is why we now find among the remains of Mystras such a surprisingly high number of churches, and some of them hold some of the best examples of byzantine frescoes of the last centuries of the empire.

After the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, it continued to be a flourishing city due to the silk industry and the production of oil, tobacco, wine and lemons.

The city was walled and inside we found remains of the palaces of the aristocracy and the more modest houses of merchants and officials.

The peasants lived outside, as did the Jewish community, who could seek refuge inside in case of danger.

What to see on the visit to Mystras in Peloponnese

As has already been said, Mystras It is located on a very steep hill and in practical terms, we can divide it into two parts: the upper city and lower city. To the first we can add the strength that dominates the whole.

The enclosure also has two entrances, the upper one and the lower one.

Although it is possible to enter through one of them and visit the entire complex before leaving through the same door, it is much more convenient, if we have our own transportation, to divide the visit into two parts.

There is a free parking area next to each entrance.

The ticket allows you to access the complex twice, once for each door, so our advice is to go to the entrance first. upper city and, once that part has been covered, including the strength, go to the other entrance to visit the lower city.

In reality, it can also be done in the other order, but our recommendation makes a lot of sense, especially in summer, to make the climb to the fortress as early as possible, before it gets too hot.

By dividing the visit into two parts, before completing the tour we will have the opportunity to rest and have a drink in the restaurants of the Mystras village or, almost better still, in those of Parori, about two kilometers away.

Upper city of Mystras in Peloponnese

When you start your visit upper city of Mystras, you will see that the aristocracy and members of the court resided in this area since they built their mansions as close as possible to the palace of the despot.

This palace It is made up of different buildings and stands on a terrace that dominates the entire complex and is visible from a great distance.

It was modified and expanded during the 13th and 14th centuries, and during our visit we found it closed for restoration works.

In addition to a first contact with the city, and next to the palace, the main interest of a visit to this part of the city are the churches of Hagia Sophia y San Nicolás, plus climb to the castle.

Hagia Sophia It was the first one built when the byzantines They regained control of the region and that is why they gave it the name of the great church of constantinople.

San Nicolás It is the last of this Byzantine period, and both churches preserve in their walls and domes quite a few fresco paintings.

If we return to the entrance, we will find the path that, through a steep climb, will take us to the castle.

Mystras Fortress in Peloponnese

It is a imposing fortress and with a double wall which was built in 1249 by Guillaume de Villehardouin. The byzantines and ottomans They completely modified it.

In this complex, apart from the walls, you can see a cistern, towers and remains of buildings.

The views of the surroundings They are spectacular, from the Taygetus peaks to plain of sparta.

Lower city of Mystras in Peloponnese

We can leave then and go to the main entrance, the one at the lower city.

As soon as we access we will find the souvenir shop, which has good reproductions of archaeological pieces, both some found in Mystras like in other places in Greece.

Here we can begin a circular tour of the lower city.

It can be done in both directions, but if we follow it counterclockwise, we will first pass through the museum where we find information about the place.

This is located in a group of buildings among which the cathedral, which dates from the late 13th century and preserves elements of different styles and numerous frescoes on the walls.

El Archaeological Museum of Mystras It is small but interesting.

It includes jewelry, icons, remains of frescoes and coins, as well as sculptural and architectural elements, and the most important piece is an altar.

Vrontochion Monastery in Mystras

If we continue with our visit, we will reach one of the most attractive corners of the entire Mystras.

This is the Vrontochion Monastery, composed of numerous structures and dependencies.

It was one of the main focuses of art and culture of Mystras and its religious, economic and cultural influence was recognized throughout the Byzantine world.

In this monastic complex there are two main churches.

Of Aghioi Theodori stands out for its summit supported by 16 narrow arches, and that of Hodegetria It presents a very peculiar architectural structure and numerous fragments of paintings.

Pandanassa Monastery in Mystras

At this point you have to look for the path that leads to the Pandanassa monastery, one of the most imposing structures in the entire complex and visible from anywhere.

The monastery is inhabited by a group of nuns and that is why its rooms have all those furniture elements that are in the churches and hermitages in which worship is celebrated.

The paintings They are the most recent of all Mystras.

Perivleptos Monastery, Byzantine paintings in Mystras

The good thing about following the itinerary as we are describing it is that we leave for last the place that we liked the most of the entire tour, thus ending the visit on a high note.

This is the Perivleptos monastery, located in a wooded area at the southern end of the lower city area. Part of the complex is embedded in a rock wall.

Inside we discover what is, without a doubt, the most beautiful set of Byzantine paintings in all of Mystras and probably the most prominent in recent centuries in the entire empire.

You have to take a little time to look for representation of the Baptism of Christ, Divine Liturgy, Dormition of the Virgin or Nativity.

For many scholars, these paintings They are one of the summits of byzantine art.

Times and ticket prices for Mystras in Peloponnese

El Mystras visiting hours It is, from April to August, from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m.

Starting on September 1, the closing time begins to be progressively brought forward, depending on the time of sunset, and when winter ends, the opposite process begins until returning to summer time.

El Mystras entrance fee It is 12 euros, from April to October, and 6 euros, from November to March.

Map: how to get to Mystras in Peloponnese

Mystras It is located 8 kilometers from Sparta, where we find different types of accommodation and restaurants, just like in the village of Mystras.