The Medieval City Near Sparta

Classical Sparta was destroyed by the Visigoth Alarich (396) and completely abandoned in 586. Classical Sparta was destroyed by the Visigoth Alarich (396) and completely abandoned in 586. The site in the middle of the plain was not a defensible position for medieval warfare. The site in the middle of the plain was not a defensible position for medieval warfare. 1204: The unthinkable happens. The Crusaders of the 4 th Crusade exploit a weakness in the walls, conquer and pillage Constantinople, and establish a Latin Empire over Byzantine territories. 1204: The unthinkable happens. The Crusaders of the 4 th Crusade exploit a weakness in the walls, conquer and pillage Constantinople, and establish a Latin Empire over Byzantine territories Prince William II Villehardouinbuilts a castle as the seat of the principality of Achaea, and a city rapidly grows around it Prince William II Villehardouinbuilts a castle as the seat of the principality of Achaea, and a city rapidly grows around it.

1261: Michael VIII, Palaiologos recovers Mystras for the Byzantines, as a ransom for William after the battle of Pelagonia. 1261: Michael VIII, Palaiologos recovers Mystras for the Byzantines, as a ransom for William after the battle of Pelagonia. He then proceeds to recover Constantinople and much of the European possessions of the Byzantine Empire He then proceeds to recover Constantinople and much of the European possessions of the Byzantine Empire Mystras would become the second most important center of the Empire, and an alternative residence for the imperial family. Mystras would become the second most important center of the Empire, and an alternative residence for the imperial family. As Constantinople comes increasingly under pressure, Mystras, which is outside the grip of the Turk becomes more important, and more prosperous. As Constantinople comes increasingly under pressure, Mystras, which is outside the grip of the Turk becomes more important, and more prosperous. Art and Letters flourish, and elegant pubic and private buildingsare being constantly built as the power of Mystras grows. Art and Letters flourish, and elegant pubic and private buildingsare being constantly built as the power of Mystras grows.

1453: Constantinople falls to the Turks 1453: Constantinople falls to the Turks 1460: The Turks seize Mystras 1460: The Turks seize Mystras : Comes under Venetian control : Comes under Venetian control 1715: The Turks retake it 1715: The Turks retake it 1821: The Greek war of independence begins from this region 1821: The Greek war of independence begins from this region 1834: The same year when Athens became capital of the Modern Greek State, a royal edict by King Othon ordered the rebuilding of Sparta. Mystras was abandoned and the population moved to the newly built Sparta. 1834: The same year when Athens became capital of the Modern Greek State, a royal edict by King Othon ordered the rebuilding of Sparta. Mystras was abandoned and the population moved to the newly built Sparta.

Euaggelistria

Mystras is the ‘swan-song’ of Byzantine art and creativity Mystras is the ‘swan-song’ of Byzantine art and creativity Its survival, partly thanks to the fact that it was abandoned, and thus not brutalized by modern buildings, is a gift to all those interested in the late medieval eastern art Its survival, partly thanks to the fact that it was abandoned, and thus not brutalized by modern buildings, is a gift to all those interested in the late medieval eastern art The eerie hill with the medieval ruins interspersed with wild flowers and cypress trees retains the spirit of late Byzantium and is a remarkable archaeological site, nowadays attracting more visitors than Sparta itself. The eerie hill with the medieval ruins interspersed with wild flowers and cypress trees retains the spirit of late Byzantium and is a remarkable archaeological site, nowadays attracting more visitors than Sparta itself.