Mystra

May 16, 2009

Mystra is an incredible place, and probably our favorite historical site on the tour. Sprawling across the hillside about 5 miles west and steeply uphill from Sparta, Mystra is an all but abandoned fortified Byzantine city with an exceptional concentration of well preserved churches and other architectural remains. It is hard to imagine that this deserted city was the premier artistic and cultural center of the Byzantine world before it was overrun by the Turks in the 1500's.

We made a full day of it here. We left our bikes at the lower entrance in the morning after puffing our way up hill after breakfast, and wandered in amazement all day through its endless progression of churches, monasteries, frescoes, and fortifications. As if the ruined city itself weren't enough, the physical setting is striking also. High on a ridge, it provides a wonderful overview over Sparta, the Eurotas valley, and the mountains to the east. Closer at hand, the hillside continues up steeply to the west to peak at the summit of the snowbound Taigetos range.

Truly a spectacular day, and one of the greatest highlights of the trip. It really is not to be missed.