Mystras Castle

Founded in 1428, is the best-preserved and still-active local monastery. Its elegant five-domed church combines late Byzantine and Western Gothic elements, especially visible in the richly decorated exterior apse. Inside, well-preserved frescoes from the late Palaiologan period depict scenes from the life of Christ with remarkable detail and movement.

Built between 1350 and 1365, likely served as the palace church of the despots. With its elegant cross-in-square plan, tall proportions, and refined masonry, it is one of the most sophisticated late Byzantine churches on the site, preserving traces of marble flooring and fresco decoration.

The most important surviving secular building of late Byzantine Greece. It consists of two large wings used by the imperial governors (despots) of the city. The complex likely developed in stages from the mid-13th century onward and includes a grand hall thought to have served as a throne room, as well as residential and administrative spaces. Restoration work has improved access, and the site is more regularly open to visitors than it used to be in the past.

Dates to the late 14th century and preserves some of the finest frescoes in the site. Its irregular layout reflects the constraints of the rock face, while inside, vivid wall paintings—especially scenes from the Life of the Virgin and the Passion—are among the most expressive examples of late Byzantine art.

The Church of the Evangelistria Church dates to the late 14th or early 15th century. It follows a typical cross-in-square plan with a single dome. Later used as a funerary chapel, it preserves fragments of frescoes and distinctive carved capitals.

The city’s principal church and one of the most important surviving Byzantine monuments in Greece. Dedicated in 1291/92 by Bishop Nikiforos of Lacedaemonia, it served as the metropolitan seat of the Despotate of the Morea. Built as a basilica, the church was dramatically remodelled in the early 15th century with the addition of an upper domed structure, creating its unusual two-level form. Inside, fragments of frescoes from several periods survive, along with marble decoration and a carved double-headed eagle set into the floor. According to tradition, Constantine XI Palaiologos was crowned here in 1449 before departing for Constantinople.