Мистрас: ежелгі қаланың тарихы мен мұрасы

Fortified town in Peloponnese, Greece
the town in Greece

Mystras or Mistras (Μυστρᾶς/Μιστρᾶς), also known in the Chronicle of the Morea as Myzethras or Myzithras (Μυζηθρᾶς), is a fortified town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Situated on Mt. Taygetus, above ancient Sparta, and below a Frankish castle, it served as the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea in the 14th and 15th centuries, experiencing a period of prosperity and cultural flowering during the Palaeologan Renaissance, including the teachings of Gemistos Plethon. The city also attracted artists and architects of the highest quality. Mystras remained inhabited throughout the Ottoman period, when Western travellers mistook it for ancient Sparta. In the 1830s, it was abandoned and the new town of Sparti was built, approximately eight kilometres to the east. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the Sparti municipality. As an exceptionally well preserved example of a Byzantine city and because of its testimony to the development of Late Byzantine and Post byzantine art, Mystras was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1989.

Mystras is situated on the slopes of Taygetos Mountain. The archaeological site stands above the modern village of Mystras and the city of Sparti. The greenery surrounding the area is composed mainly by pine trees and cypresses. Some small rivers and lakes are found in the region. The city's architecture was influenced by the "Helladic" school of Byzantine architecture, and many structures were informed by the architecture of Constantinople. Under Ottoman rule it became part of the Sanjak of Mezistre. The Venetians occupied it from 1687 to 1715, but otherwise the Ottomans held it until 1821. The city joined the Orlov revolt in 1770. It was looted by Ottoman Albanians and the metropolitan bishop Ananias executed, despite having saved several Albanian lives in the uprising. A great number of local Greeks were also killed by the Albanian groups, while several children were sold into slavery. Mystras was left in ruins and this event was a significant factor leading up to its abandonment.

The final straw to Mystras came in 1825 during the Greek war of Independence when Egyptians under the rule of Ibrahim massacred the local population and destroyed the local area. The town was rebuilt 9 km away under the name Sparti in 1831. Most families moved to Sparti, but a few decided to move instead to New Mystras, a small village in the countryside. This process of relocation was completed in 1953 when the remaining properties were confiscated by the municipality. In 1989 the ruins, including the fortress, palace, churches, and monasteries, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a museum and the partially restored ruins of the city. The only inhabitants today are a group of nuns who reside in the Pantanassa Monastery. The majority of the most important churches are still standing, including St. Demetrios, the Hagia Sophia, St. George, and the Monastery of Peribleptos. The Palace of the Despots has undergone substantial restorations in the past decade, making it a significant attraction. Visitors can reach the ruins via the modern city of Sparti, which is only a few miles from Mystras.

1. Main entrance;
2. Metropolis;
3. Evangelistria Church;
4. Church of Saints Theodores;
5. Hodigitria Afendiko;
6. Monemvasia Gate;
7. Church of Saint Nicholas;
8. Despot's Palace and square;
9. Nauplia Gate;
10. Upper entrance to the citadel;
11. Church of Hagia Sophia;
12. Small Palace;
13. Citadel;
14. Mavroporta;
15. Pantanassa;
16. Church of the Taxiarchs;
17. House of John Phrangopoulos;
18. Peribleptos Monastery;
19. Church of Saint George;
20. Krevatas House;
21. Marmara (entrance);
22. Aï Yannakis;
23. Laskaris' House;
24. Church of Saint Christopher;
25. Ruins;
26. Church of Saint Kyriaki.