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SPARTA

SPARTA

The Greek Polis

Sparta is a town in the Peloponnese and capital of the Prefecture of Laconia in Greece. It is built on the eastern foothills of Mount Taygetos, south of the center of the ancient homonymous city, near the right bank of the river Evrotas and at an altitude of 210 m.

The town was re-established after the liberation of the country in 1834, following King Othon’s decision. Modern Sparta has an open-planted streets, large squares, neoclassical buildings and rich water supply.

From ancient Sparta, there are remains of the temples of Orthia Artemis, Athena Halkioi, Apollo Karnioi, as well as a theater of the Roman era.

Ancient History OF SPARTA

The region has a long history both in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the New Age. Sparta and Laconia are mentioned in Greek mythology. It is also mentioned by Homer in his epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey as one of the most powerful Mycenaean kingdoms and seat of Menelaus, the brother of King Agamemnon of Mycenae, before the Trojan War. About 1100 BC and after the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, the Dorians, settled in the area.

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Spartan Sights

Acropolis of Sparta

Acropolis of Sparta

The ancient theater in acropolis of Sparta is located on the south side of the western part of the acropolis, below the sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos, the patron goddess of Sparta. It is one of the biggest ancient theaters in Greece. The original stone theater was built at the end of the Hellenistic era, in the 1st century A.D. The present form of the theater dates back to the era of emperor Theodosius in the 4th century A.D. It is estimated that the theater could seat 15000 spectators. Mostly, it was used for political, social and festive events.

Tomb of Leonidas

Tomb of Leonidas

In this sacred monument-temple, Leonidion, the ancient Spartans placed the bones of Leonidas, which they brought from Thermopylae, 40 years after the battle, as well as a marble column with their names 300 heroes. Each year, the ancient Spartans played here fights, “Leonidia”, in honor and memory of Leonidas and the three hundred, fights in which only Spartans were eligible to participate!

Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

The sanctuary is located in a natural basin between Limnai and the west bank of the Eurotas River, outside ancient Sparta, above the reach of all but the severest flooding. The oldest relics, pottery fragments from the late Greek Dark Ages, indicate that the cult has probably existed since the 10th century BCE. Originally, the cult celebrated its rituals on a rectangular earthen altar, built up by the ashes of successive sacrifices.

Menelaion

Menelaion

On the top of the hill of Prophet Elias (5 km southeast of the city), in the area where ancient Therapie was located, are the ruins of Menelaus, an important Spartan hero, devoted to the deified Menelaus and Helen. It is an imposing platform-crate, 23.8 m long and 16.6 m wide, backed by tall retaining walls. At the top was the temple.

Modern Sparta

Modern Sparta

Sparta is a town in the Peloponnese and capital of the prefecture of Laconia. It has about 15,000 inhabitants. It is built in the same location as the ancient city. Its center is located a short distance from the ancient acropolis and the Roman theater, and in particular south of the above mentioned monuments, which are part of the archaeological site known as ancient Sparta and located outside the modern city.

Museum of Olive Oil

Museum of Olive Oil

Sparta is a town in the Peloponnese and capital of the prefecture of Laconia. It has about 15,000 inhabitants. It is built in the same location as the ancient city. Its center is located a short distance from the ancient acropolis and the Roman theater, and in particular south of the above mentioned monuments, which are part of the archaeological site known as ancient Sparta and located outside the modern city.

Archeological Museum of Sparta

Archeological Museum of Sparta

Sparta is a town in the Peloponnese and capital of the prefecture of Laconia. It has about 15,000 inhabitants. It is built in the same location as the ancient city. Its center is located a short distance from the ancient acropolis and the Roman theater, and in particular south of the above mentioned monuments, which are part of the archaeological site known as ancient Sparta and located outside the modern city.

Spartan Hero Statue

Spartan Hero Statue

Leonidas is a sculpture of hoplite made of Parian marble in 480–470 BC and unearthed in 1926. It was found southwest of peribolos of the sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos on the Acropolis of Sparta. The sculpture is housed in the Archaeological Museum of Sparta. The sculpture features a Corinthian helmet with ram-shaped cheek pieces. The sculpture was part of a group, probably affixed to the sanctuary pediment. According to several scholars, it formed part of the memorial on the Spartan acropolis to honor Leonidas on his reburial.

Peribleptos Monastery

Peribleptos Monastery

The Peribleptos Monastery is a late Byzantine-era monastery in Mystras. It was built in the mid-14th century by the first Despot of the Morea, Manuel Kantakouzenos, and named after one of the most celebrated monasteries of Byzantine Constantinople. The frescos in the main church, dating between 1348 and 1380, are a very rare surviving late Byzantine cycle, are crucial for the understanding of Byzantine art. The Monastery is built into the side of a cliff with a cave supporting the structure. This architectural style is known as the Mystras style and is prevalent in several churches and monasteries in the area, this style is typified by a resemblance to a castle. 

Pantanassa Monastery

Pantanassa Monastery

The Pantanassa Monastery is a monastery in Mystras. It was founded by a chief minister of the late Byzantine Despotate of the Morea, John Frankopoulos, and was dedicated in September 1428. It is the only monastery on the site still permanently inhabited. Today it is inhabited by nuns providing hospitality. Its “beautifully ornate stone-carved façade” is of architectural note.

Manousakeio Mouseio

Manousakeio Mouseio

The Manousaki House is a dwelling of the early 20th century. This listed neoclassical building was designed to be converted into a museum with exhibits of home furnishings and family memories. Meanwhile, the physical, spiritual and social life of the Spartan bourgeoisie of the time is revealed.

Oenus River

Oenus River

The Oenus is a river in the Peloponnese peninsula, southern Greece. It rises in the watershed of Mt. Parnon, and, after flowing in a general southwesterly direction, falls into the Eurotas, at the distance of little more than a mile from Sparta. The principal tributary of the Oenus was the Gorgylus probably the river of Vrestená. The municipal unit Oinountas, part of the municipality Sparta, was named after the river Oenus.

Oenus River

Mystras

Built on the slopes of Taygetos, the Castle of Mystras takes the visitor to a trip in time. It remains almost irresistible and despondent, generously offering an unprecedented cultural experience to a landscaping landscape that awakes the senses. Are you ready for a journey in history?. About 214 km away from Athens, in the southern Peloponnese, and specifically in the prefecture of Lakonia, is Sparta, a small provincial town with glorious history, a fame that knows no borders and attracts tourists from all the lengths and widths of the world.

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