Mystras, Greece 2023: A Guide to the Archeological Site

Mystras Castle was built atop the foothills of the Taygetos Mountains in 1249 CE by William II of Villehardouin, following the Frank’s overthrow of the Byzantine Empire in 1204 CE.

Nicknamed the “Wonder of Morea,” Mystras occupied the perfect vantage point to monitor the Greek population of the region and quickly attracted settlers who developed a town down the castle’s hillside.

Unfortunately, the Franks only managed to hold the fortress for just over a decade, as the area and castle were surrendered back to the Byzantines in 1262 CE. With the new fortress, the Byzantines converted Mystras into the center of Byzantine power in southern Greece, the seat of the Despotate of Moreas.

For the following two centuries, Mystras experienced heavy development, with monasteries, churches, libraries, and extravagant palaces constructed within the area at this time.

However, the Byzantine influence in the region fell in the 15th century, at which point the Turks captured Mystras’ control in 1460. While the Venetians wrestled the power of Mystras from the Turks for a short time between 1687 and 1715, the fortress and surrounding area ultimately returned to Ottoman rule until the 18th century.

Following the riots of the Orlov Revolt and the Greek Revolutionary War, Mystras fell under the control of rebels until it was sacked by the Turks and abandoned. Instead of rebuilding the site, King Otto decided to found the city of modern Sparta, and Mystras was left to ruin to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.