Mystra

Near Sparta is another fabulous site for Byzantine ruins, the former despotate of Mystra. The Turks and Venetians also occupied Mystra for significant periods of time.



Like Monemvasia, Mystra has a lower town and an upper town. Here's the view down from the upper town. There is a convent still in use here. That's the modern town way down below.



From the upper town's wall, there is a nice view of the snowy mountains, or at least there was during our visit in January.



Wildflowers grow alongside the paths.



I liked the flowering trees as well.