Mystrás

Mystras climbs a spur of Mount Taygetus above ancient Sparta, its palaces, churches and monasteries gathered beneath a Frankish castle. William of Villehardouin built the fortress in the thirteenth century, but after his capture by the Byzantines he surrendered it in exchange for his freedom. The town that grew below became the seat of Byzantine government in the Morea.

From 1349 Mystras was the residence of the despots who ruled the Byzantine Morea. Its court attracted painters, architects and scholars, among them the philosopher Gemistos Plethon. Constantine Palaiologos governed here before becoming the last Byzantine emperor. In 1460 the city surrendered to Sultan Mehmed II. Venetian rule interrupted Ottoman control from 1687 to 1715; later, the town suffered plunder and killings after the failed Orlov revolt of 1770. Its painted churches and ruined palaces preserve the splendour of its Byzantine court.