Archaeological Site of Mystras, Greece

Ruins of the ancient city of Mystras, Greece
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mystras_Burg.jpg
Author: Koppi2
The Archaeological Site of Mystras is a World Heritage Site in Greece. They are medieval ruins dating to the 13th century. The Byzantine city of Mystras was built in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. It is located on Mount Taygetos near ancient Sparta. The prince built his palace there.

Mystras attained a degree of prosperity in the 14th and 15th century. It was the second most important city in the Byzantine empire after Constantinople, and William II's palace was the second residence of Byzantine emperors.

Mystras continued to be inhabited through the Ottoman period, when it was often mistaken by early Western explorers as ancient Sparta. It was only abandoned in 1830, when the new town of Sparti was built about 8 kilometers to the east of it.

Archaeological Site of Mystras was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 13th session of the World Heritage Committee held at Headquarters in Paris, France, on 11 - 15 December, 1989

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 37 4 50.016 E 22 22 0.012 in the Prefecture of Laconia, Region of the Peloponnesos
Inscription Year: 1989
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, III, IV

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