Kaiadas cave - Mystras - Sparta - Ancient Messene

Route: Kalamata - Kaiadas cave - Mystras - Sparta - Ancient Messene - Kalamata
Duration: 9 h
The route is spectacular, as we will cross the famous mountain of Taygetos so full of myths and traditions. Passing through ravines, tunnels, caves and green forests .  Our first stop for photos will be in Keadas it was where the Ancient Spartans would bring newborn sick children and throw them over, in order to avoid the continuation of defective genes, to protect their proud and perfect race. Our next stop will be at Mystras. The town developed down the hillside from the fortress built in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William II of Villehardouin, at the top of a 620 m high hill overlooking Sparta. The Franks surrendered the castle to the Byzantines in 1262, it was the centre of Byzantine power in southern Greece, first as the base of the military governor and from 1348 as the seat of the Despotate of Morea. Captured by the Turks in 1460, it was occupied thereafter by them and the Venetians. Mystras, as the centre of Byzantine power, quickly attracted inhabitants and institutions; the bishopric was transferred there from Sparta, with its cathedral, the Metropolis or church of Hagios Demetrios, built after 1264. Many monasteries were founded there, including those of the Brontochion and the monastery of Christos Zoodotes (Christ the Giver of Life). Under the Despots, Mystras reached its zenith with the building of churches, outstanding examples of Late Byzantine church architecture, such as Hagioi Theodoroi (1290-1295), the Hodegetria (c. 1310), the Hagia Sophia (1350-1365), the Peribleptos (3rd quarter of the 14th century), the Evangelistria (late 14th – early 15th century) and the Pantanassa (c. 1430). The city was a major piece on the political chessboard of the time and was developed and beautified as befitted its role as a centre of power and culture. Our next stop will be Sparta. Modern Sparta was built exactly in the same location as the ancient city. Its origins are from October 20, 1834 when King Otto signed the edict for the construction of the new town. The ancient site that we will visit afterwards, will astound you. The Acropolis of Ancient Sparta and its monuments, are still standing from the sixth century BC, in defiance of all the centuries gone by. We will see the Ancient Theatre, the Temple of Chalkioikos Athena, the circular building, the remains of the stores of ancient agora, a Persian Gallery and many more. You will have information for each monument that we will see, and for all the events of everyday life of the ancient Spartans and their kings. Leaving the Acropolis, we will visit the “Tomb of Leonidas,” the most famous king of ancient Sparta. We will feel the respect that harbored the Spartans to their kings and also we will be able to understand their frugal lifestyle. Our last stop will be at the source of village Mauromati. We will recount of the legend that reveals the name of the village: a myth that reaches back to the years of ancient Greeks’ mythology and is related to the upbringing of Zeus. You will be amazed by the structures of the city’s fortification wall and the only surviving entrance gate to the ancient city. They are standing there since 369 BC. We will enter through the Arcadian Gate and can admire its splendor and try to imagine how it felt to be a Messenian warrior going to battle. We will walk through the same paths where once stepped Epaminondas, the famous General from Ancient Thiva, who founded the city of Ancient Messene on the ruins of Ancient Ithomi. Ruins that were the result of the Spartans’ invasion. When we go inside  you will learn everything about the foundation of the city, its history and the continuously changing history of its rulers. After we will back to Kalamata.
Price: per person