“Mystras – another 93 floors up” by Christina (6/27/15)
The Byzantine city of Mystras is on a hillside above Sparta. The entry to the city is at the bottom, and then visitors are allowed to wander up and explore through the streets, churches and remaining houses on the site. The churches have original frescoes and mosaics that aren’t roped off and you can touch, if you want to. Rather incredible access. We didn’t make it all the way to the castle at the top of the hill because we were a little pushed for time to get back on the road. In Xiropigado, we are in a HomeAway property and we had hosts waiting for us at the end of the day. Our castle quest must continue another day….
Here’s our crew exploring Mystras:
The non-ruin at the left is the still-active Pantanassa Monastery on the grounds of the old city.
We had to watch every footstep.
Allyndreth found a side stairway off the beaten path.
Tyrian house sitting, er, sitting outside a house.
AMS in the top of a tower halfway up.
The palace is in the background.
An example of some of the frescoes, St. Nikolas church.
Sitting in a window on the grounds of St. Sophia, the largest church on the site, and the highest structure before the castle. The palace is below, with the Eurotas Valley in the distance.
– Christina