At a distance of 6 km from Sparta lies the settlement of Neos Mystras, which is crowned by the homonymous Castle Town with an altitude of 280 meters and 807 inhabitants.
The history of Mystras begins with the arrival of the Frankish William Villehardouin, who in 1249 built a castle on the top of a naturally fortified hill, to protect his possessions in the area. The hill was called Myzithras, perhaps because of its shape, which resembles that of the homonymous Greek cheese “myzithra”, or because of the profession of its owner. This name was preserved by the Franks, but over time it was renamed to Mystras. In 1262, the Franks were forced to surrender their strong castle to the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, in order to free William Villehardouin. From that point on, the rapid development of the area and the evolution of the small castle into an extensive and lively city begins. In 1289, recognising its importance for the region, it was decided to transfer the seat of the provincial Governor from Monemvasia to Mystras. In 1349, by decision of the Emperor, Mystras became the capital of a new institution, the Despotate of Morea, with jurisdiction over almost all of Peloponnese. The Despots were the second-born sons of each emperor, giving thus a special prestige to the office, first with the dynasty of Kantakouzenos (1349 – 1383) and Palaiologos (1383 – 1460), second.
In 1460 and after a course of intense intellectual and cultural activity, Mystras surrendered to the Turks. With the foundation of the city of new Sparta in 1834 by decree of Otto, the inhabitants of Mystras settled in Sparta, leaving the Castle Town to decay and abandonment.
The Greek state, recognising the cultural significance of the site, proclaimed it by royal decree in 1921 as a prominent Byzantine monument and in the following years as an Archaeological Site, expropriating any remaining properties. Finally, as a major recognition in 1989, UNESCO included Mystras in the list of monuments that constitute World Cultural Heritage.
As the visitors cross the gate of the castle, they can follow one of the many suggested routes. The road will lead them next to important monuments, secular and ecclesiastical, which record as indisputable witnesses the history of the place. Starting from the upper Gate, with their entrance, they will see the temple of Saint Sophia, the chapel of Palaces, the complex of Palaces, one of the few surviving today worldwide. They will continue until they reach Monastery Pantanassa dedicated by Prime Minister Despotate John Frangopoulos to Virgin Mary Perivlepto (the All-Seeing), the beautiful temple next to walls Monastery Vrontochiou with two Catholicons and traces significant library and finally Metropolitan Cathedral dedicated to St. Demetrius. According to legend in center temple on a marble relief plate with symbol Byzantine Empire double-headed eagle knelt one Despots Mystras Constantine Palaiologos receive first time anointing Emperor before starting difficult journey towards immortality. At top Castle Town dominates Frankish castle offering panoramic view plain Lacedaemon but mountainous mass Taygetus.
The art and technique both frescoes and icons that survive can not but leave visitor speechless, who reverently stand and watch what the painter of that era era narrates in an elaborate way. And it is precisely this brilliance and purity that highlighted these painters to teachers of the famous painting School of Mystras. Today with the tireless effort of the conservators of the 5th Ephorate Byzantine Antiquities, the splendor of the representations and the grace of the forms are being restored restored, so visitors can get a complete image of the art from that era.
Leaving the Castle with a heart full of pride from the greatness of their Byzantine ancestors, visitors meet the complex of springs of the aristocratic family Krevvataidon and as they walks towards new settlement of Mystras, they observe many Byzantine and post-Byzantine temples: St. Barbara, St. George, Saints Theodoroi, St. Spyridon, Virgin Mary of Kritikias and St. John. On the square they will see the staue of the last emperor of Byzantium and Despot of Mystras, Constantine XI Palaiologos.
In Neos Mystras visitors can search for various souvenir shops, iconography workshops, hotel to rest under the shade of the castle, traditional taverns to enjoy delicious appetisers. Mystras is the cultural center of the Municipality and many events take place there throughout the year: Local religious festivals, a trade fair, a trade exhibition (August 26 – September 2), concerts and Carnival events on Clean Monday. The top cultural event though, is the series of memory events “Palaiologeia”, organised every year to tribute honor to the heroic sacrifice of Constantine XI Palaiologos, climaxing on May 29, the day of the City Fall.
Source: mystras.gr (2008)
