Mystras, Greece. HDR

Greece was an important part of the Byzantine Empire.  In Athens and across Peloponnesus there are many places with buildings tracing their roots to that period. Mystras in Peloponnesus, in particular, has many beautiful churches and monasteries dating to Byzantine period.

In 1262 the crusader state – Latin Empire – was defeated resulting in the restoration of the Byzantine Empire.  As a result, Mystras became the seat of the Territory of the Morea governor.  Later the governor was usually the heir-apparent of the Byzantine emperor.

It is a good climb, but we are finally reaching the governor’s palace, the last phase of which dates to 1415.

Most of the monasteries and churches we see below date to 14^th and 15^th century.

We first visit the Church of St. Demetrios.

Then we are reaching the church of St. Theodores.

Next is the functioning Pantanassa Monastery with seven nuns and a lady working at the church.  We felt uncomfortable to intrude, but in hind insight we should had chatted and filmed one of the nuns we met while there.

There is also a castle on the top of that hill, but at this point we are all climbed out for today.

Greece – land of ancient civilizations, beautiful Byzantine churches and soulful songs.

From the Parthenon to the wonderful islands in the Aegean Sea, the history, splendid country sides and the quaint small towns – Greece is magical.

These travel videos will take you to ancient sites, like Olympia, Delphi, Athens’ Acropolis, Constantinople and many more. Come along.