This tour by motorcoach will cross the
plain of Laconia through its orange and olive groves, with the mighty
Taygetus Mountain (7,897 ft.) in the background to arrive in
Sparta, which today is a big, modern town. As the original Spartans cared little for buildings and lived a “Spartan” existence in barracks, their ancient architecture was simple and basic. Today, its scanty remains reflect little of Sparta’s ancient renown. Four miles west however, sits the medieval town of
Mystras, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its churches and houses, monasteries and palaces lining the steep narrow streets. For 200 years, from the middle of the 13th century, this Byzantine town flourished. From the mid-15th century to the beginning of our century, the town was in constant decline, with the exception of a few years during which it was under Venetian control. However, the magnificence of the
Byzantine architecture, remarkably preserved and sensitively restored, gives you the impression you are entering a whole different age.
Please note: The site is located on a very steep hill so flat rubber shoes are recommended.
