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Mystras

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Mystras Μυστράς
Location
Coordinates	37°4′N 22°23′E / 37.067, 22.383Coordinates: 37°4′N 22°23′E / 37.067, 22.383
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center):	15 m (49 ft)
Government
Country:	Greece
Periphery:	Peloponnese
Prefecture:	Laconia
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City Proper
- Population:	4,608
Codes
Postal:	231 00
Telephone:	27310
Auto:	ΑΚ
Website
mystras.gr

Archaeological Site of Mystras*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Greece
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iii, iv
Reference	511
Region**	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1989  (13th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Mystras (also Mistra, Mystra and Mistras Greek: Μυστράς, Μυζηθράς Mizithras or Myzithras in the chronicle of Morea) was a fortified town in Morea (the Peloponnesus), on Mt. Taygetos, near ancient Sparta. It lies approximately eight kilometres west of the modern town of Sparti.

In 1249, Mystras became the seat of the Latin Principality of Achaea, established in 1205 after the conquest of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, and Prince William II Villehardouin, a grand-nephew of the Fourth Crusade historian Geoffrey of Villehardouin, built a palace there.

In 1261, the Latins ceded Mystras and other forts in the southeastern Peloponnese as ransom for William II, who had been captured in Pelagonia, and Michael VIII Palaeologus made the city the seat of the new Despotate of Morea. It remained the capital of the despotate, ruled by relatives of the Byzantine emperor, although the Venetians still controlled the coast and the islands. Mystras and the rest of Morea became relatively prosperous after 1261, compared to the rest of the empire. Under the despot Theodore it became the second most important city in the empire after Constantinople, and William II's palace became the second residence of the emperors.

The frescos in the Peribleptos Church, dating between 1348 and 1380, are a very rare surviving late Byzantine cycle, crucial for the understanding of Byzantine art.

Mystras was also the last centre of Byzantine scholarship; the Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos Plethon lived there until his death in 1452. He and other scholars based in Mystras influenced the Italian Renaissance, especially after he accompanied the emperor John VIII Palaeologus to Florence in 1439.

The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI, was despot at Mystras before he came to the throne. Demetrius Palaeologus the last despot of Morea, surrendered the city to the Ottoman emperor Mehmed II in 1460. The Venetians occupied it from 1687 to 1715, but otherwise the Ottomans held it until 1821 and the beginning of the Greek War of Independence. It was abandoned by King Otto for the newly rebuilt Sparta.

In 1989 the ruins, including the fortress, palace, churches, and monasteries, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Geography and statistics

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Nearest places

• Sparta (east)
• Magoula

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Communes

• Magoula
• Mystras

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Historical population

The municipality seat of Mystras is in Magoula.

The community has a school and a square (plateia).

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Notable people

• Gemistus Pletho (usually called Plethon,) (1355-1452), philosopher and scholar
• Dimitra Sarantakos, mother of Criss Angel

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Burials

• John VI Kantakouzenos
• Manuel Kantakouzenos
• Theodora Tocco

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Plan

Plan of Mystras after works by G. Millet (1910) and M. Chatzidakis (1981).

• 1. Main entrance;
• 2. Metropolis;
• 3. Evangelistria;
• 4. Saint-Theodores;
• 5. Hodigitria-Afendiko;
• 6. Monemvasia's Gate;
• 7. Saint-Nicolas;
• 8. The Despot's Palace and the square;
• 9. Nauplia's Gate;
• 10. Upper entrance to the citadel;
• 11. Saint-Sophia;
• 12. Small Palace;
• 13. Citadel;
• 14. Mavroporta;
• 15. Pantanassa;
• 16. Taxiarchs;
• 17. Frangopoulos' House;
• 18. Peribleptos;
• 19. Saint-Georges;
• 20. Krevata House;
• 21. Marmara (entrance);
• 22. Aï-Yannakids;
• 23. Laskaris' House;
• 24. Saint-Christopher;
• 25. Ruins;
• 26. Saint-Kyriaki.

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External links

• GTP - Monastery in Mystras
• GTP - Mystras
• GTP - Municipality of Mystras

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See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Mystras

• Communities of Laconia

v • d • e World Heritage Sites in Greece Acropolis of Athens · Aigai (Vergina) · Old Town of Corfu  · Delos · Delphi · Epidaurus · Mycenae and Tiryns · Mystras · Olympia · Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse · Daphni Monastery · Hosios Loukas · Nea Moni of Chios · Meteora · Mount Athos · Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonica: (Hagios Demetrios, Arch and Tomb of Galerius, Hagia Sophia, Church of Panayia Halkeion, Church of Saint Nicolaos Orfanou, Church of Agioi Apostoloi, Church of Acheiropoiitos, Monastery of Latomou, Church of Agios Panteleimon) · Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos · Medieval city of Rhodes · Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae