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Archaeological site · Monemvasia, Peloponeso
Mystras (Mistrá)
Byzantine town in ruins on the slope of Taígeto, 8 km from Esparta and about 95 km from Monemvasia: Frankish castle of 1249 at the top, Palácio dos Déspotas, churches with frescoes and the monastery of Pantanassa, still inhabited by nuns. World Heritage.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mystras (Mistrá)
Mystras was the last great city of Byzantium. The Frank Guilherme de Villehardouin built the castle on the hilltop in 1249; ten years later he had to hand it over to the Byzantines, and the town that grew on the slope became, from 1349 to 1460, the capital of the Despotado da Moreia, ruled by sons and brothers of the emperor. Constantine XI, the last emperor of Constantinople, was despot here before ascending the throne. The Ottomans took it in 1460, and the town was gradually abandoned after the foundation of modern Esparta in 1834. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1989.
The site descends the hillside in three levels. At the top is Villehardouin’s castle, with views over the plain of Esparta and the peaks of Taígeto. In the middle is the upper town, with the Palácio dos Déspotas, the only surviving Byzantine palace standing, and the church of Agia Sofia. Below is the lower town, with the Metrópole of Agios Dimitrios, which has a museum, the monasteries of Vrontochion, with the church Odigitria, and Peribleptos, half carved into the rock, with the best-preserved 14th-century frescoes, and the Pantanassa, from 1428, where a small group of nuns still lives and welcomes visitors.
There are two entrances: the lower one, next to the village of Mystras, and the upper one, near the castle. The complete visit is a several-hour walk on stone slopes, and many people enter at the top, walk down seeing everything and exit at the bottom. Esparta is 8 km away, and the road to Monemvasia takes about one and a half hours.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
3 to 4 hours for the whole site; 2 hours for the lower town and the Pantanassa.
Best time
Early in the morning, because of the temperature and because the light enters the churches nicely. In spring the slope blooms. In July and August the heat is strong and the climb to the castle is tiring; start from the top. The site operates reduced hours in winter; check before you go.
How to get there
From Monemvasia it’s about 95 km and one and a half hours by car, via Molaoi and Esparta. From Esparta, 8 km, by local bus and taxi. The lower entrance is in the village of Mystras, with parking; the upper one is on the road that climbs to the castle. It’s about 60 km from Trípoli and 3 hours from Atenas.
Tip
Enter through the top gate and descend: it’s the only way to see everything without having to climb the whole slope again. Ask a taxi to wait at the lower gate or return along the road on foot, 2 km. At the Pantanassa the nuns sell sweets and embroidery; dress with shoulders and knees covered.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mystras (Mistrá)
Is Mystras near Monemvasia?
It’s about 95 km, one and a half hours by car, via Esparta. It’s worth a stop on the route between Monemvasia and Trípoli or Atenas, or as a day trip.
Why is Mystras important?
It was the capital of the Despotado da Moreia, the last strong province of Byzantium, from 1349 to 1460, and preserves the only standing Byzantine palace, as well as churches with 14th-century frescoes and a Frankish castle from 1249. It is a World Heritage Site.
Does anyone still live in Mystras?
Only the nuns of the Pantanassa monastery, from 1428, who receive visitors and sell sweets and embroidery. The rest of the town has been in ruins since the 19th century.
Which entrance is best to start from?
The upper entrance, near the castle: that way the visit is all downhill, from the castle to the Palácio dos Déspotas and the churches of the lower town. Arrange return transport to the top gate or walk 2 km along the road.