Day 18 - Sparta & Mystras

Day 18 - 27 September 2016

OMG what a day it was today.

First thing today was Mystras, founded in 1249 by William II of Villehardouin. It was to play an important part the the history of the Byzantine Empire until it fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1460. First came to fort right at the top, and gradually houses, churches, palaces and monasteries grew up around and down the hill.

When modern Sparti was founded in 1834, people started moving out of Mystras with the last people being moved out in 1953.
The entrance is at the bottom of the hill (ticket cost €12.00) so it was all uphill, and the paths were not so great. I think that the altitude had something to do about it as well. Fortunately it wasn't too hot, but I really took strain. There was a surprisingly large amount of people there, but I was the only one that was not part of a tour group. We climbed those steps and stopped to admire the view, but more to catch our breath than anything else. It really was a spectacular visit

and I would have liked to spend more time, but I had to keep an eye on the time. The bus back was at 11:50 with the next one at 15:40. I really didn't want to sit there for that long.

Those steps were a killer.

I got back to the bus stop at about 11:35 which gave me a bit of time to cool off. It was the same driver. He flicked his head for me to get on and off we went.
He dropped me off at the archaeological museum. There is very little left of Classical and Hellenistic Sparta. There were many roman statues and mosaics however. There were a couple of really elegant romans statues in the gardens outside the museum. It's such a pity that they are so dirty.

After that I took a walk across town and took a look at the statue of King Leonidas.

He of the Battle of Thermopylae fame. Onwards to the archaeological site. Set in the middle of an olive grove, the most impressive ruins were the roman theatre that seated 16 000.

After all that, I went for a late lunch. Had two starters (€10.70) one excellent and the other mediocre. Saganaki (fried cheese) is fantastic.

I could have it every day. After lunch I went back to the hotel to relax. Much later I went out for a walk and dinner. The restaurant I chose didn't have any of the Greek specialties on the menu tonight, so I had a gyro (€6.50). To console myself I bought some Kourabiedes

and a latte to go. Off to bed early tonight. I'm off to Ancient Corinth tomorrow morning and the bus leaves at 08:30, which means I need to be there by 07:30 to ensure a good seat.

Sparta

Mystras

Statue of Leonidas

Archaeological Museum of Sparta

Archaeological Site of Ancirnt Sparta