"Alive Byzantium!" Top 5 Page for this destination Mistras by AndyRG

Mistras Travel Guide: 49 reviews and 92 photos

Mistras, a mediaeval fortress-state, occupies a foothill on the slopes of Mountain Taygetos, 6 km NW of the ancient city of Sparta, in Peloponnese (about 250 km south of Athens).
Houses, mansions, palaces, churches and monasteries have covered the hill, so nice to walk there, lost in time...

Inside Agios (Saint) Dimitrios

The Byzantines made themselves masters of Mistras in 1262 and a brilliant period for this state began. This despotate was developed into an important cultural centre, with close links with Constantinople.
The churches are the most important and interesting monuments of the site, nowadays some of their murals can still be seen.

The castle

The castle crowns the hill, it was built in 1249. It played an important role in the history of the last centuries of the byzantine empire, before falling to the Turks in 1460.
The view from it is unique!

Last visit to Mistras: Apr 2003
Intro Updated Jun 9, 2003
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Reviews (24)

It's worth the try! Things to Do (24)

Climbing to the top of the hill to be inside the castle maybe sounds a little bit tiring, but the view you enjoy from... more travel advice

The castle II Things to Do (24)

"Oriokastro" castle is large and impressive, despite the fact that most of the battlements, towers and other buildings... more travel advice

The castle Things to Do (24)

The castle on the top of the hill was founded in 1249 by a Frank leader. After 1262 it came under byzantine control,... more travel advice

No tiredness? Things to Do (24)

I was there in spring and tiredness could be forgotten by such images... You see, Mistras is on a hill and the churches... more travel advice

Comments (12)

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angiebabe Jan 2, 2009 at 4:59 AM

Hi, I enjoyed my visit in May - unfortunately only from the external views so I have to make a return trip before too long to explore all day another day!
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roamer61 Sep 29, 2005 at 8:53 AM

Fascinating Mistras. Very nice pages with excellent photos and good tips too.
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Yiannis2000 Aug 12, 2004 at 2:15 AM

The place that impressed me the most during my trip to Peloponese, I still remember details, even if 30 years have passed since then...
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tpangelinan Sep 15, 2003 at 6:22 AM

WOW!!! Wonderful page! Beautiful photos and very helpful information and tips!! :-)
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cbeaujean Jul 4, 2003 at 7:57 AM

after the byzance's fall,became the former emperor family (called comnene) city until 1463...now a suggestive and rather well preserved city i love...
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herzog63 Jul 2, 2003 at 8:20 AM

The buildings here are really wonderful!! I love all of the old stone work! Mistras looks like a special place! Fantastic page Andy!
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matcrazy1 Jun 26, 2003 at 7:08 PM

Magical place and page! Amazing pics of architecture and... a cat-woman, any dog-women there?
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sim1 Jun 11, 2003 at 8:11 AM

Mistras.... it's on my travel wishlist now! Wow, Andreas! What a wonderful page! Mistras feels so special, so wonderful! A must see for me now! Thanks for telling me about this place!
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Lilasel Jun 11, 2003 at 7:38 AM

Mistras - even this word sounds so magical... don't know why! I like everything on this page, but where is Eleni? hihi
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Bonobo2005 Jun 11, 2003 at 4:55 AM

You brought the mediaeval times right to my room. really beautiful! ...the picture of Odigitria...brochure perfect!