2019 Eurasia Adventure - Mystras The Magnificent

The last stop on Eurasian tour was visit to the Byzantine city of Mystras. When Ioannis our guide put it as a choice for us to visit, it didn't ring any bells. But when we got there and I found out how it fit into the great last chapters of Byzantine history, I suddenly remembered about it.

Very briefly, toward the end of the Byzantine era as it was weakening, Constantinople (Istanbul) was briefly conquered by Western Christians posing as Crusaders but in the pay of Venice. Mystras came into being as a sort of court in exile until the Catholics could be thrown out. It remained an important city in the Empire as it declined and was one of the last strongholds to fall to the Ottomans even after Constantinople itself fell. 

There are very few complete Byzantine cities available for observation. Most have been overbuilt by later time periods. So for a Byzantine history buff like me, coming here was very special.

The city is built into the side of a hill

Wife contemplates the glory that was Byzantium

The mysteries of Mystras attract all kinds of adventure seekers

Let's follow them and see where it leads us!

 Because at the de-I blog we listen!

A reader complained that we had missed posting church pictures in our Olympia entry

Rectified

See what if feels like to walk into a 13th century Byzantine Church by clicking here

 

Detail of the spectacular 13th century frescoes

3.1 points out where meals were served in a monastery

We delve deeper into Mystras

And come upon another church

Where the last Emperor of Byzantium was crowned

The two headed eagle, the symbol of the Empire

Now used throughout areas influenced by its civilization

Some last glimpses

A sarcophagus from ancient Sparta

That was used by the Byzantines to water horses!

 

 

Looking down on the city of Sparti which is built over the ancient city of Sparta

Where we had lunch

A statue in honor of Leonidas, the Spartan King who led the 300 who held off the Persians at Thermopoli

We finished up at the museum of olives and olive oil

See 3.2 prove that it is time to throw of child labor laws as she auditions to become an olive crusher

We are now on our way back home

We flew on Saturday to Amsterdam, today to Chicago and will get home tomorrow

Another adventure in the books!