Spacious stone built villa close to Sparta

Sparta was a warrior society in ancient Greece that reached the height of its power after defeating rival city-state Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.). Spartan culture was centered on loyalty to the state and military service. At age 7, Spartan boys entered a rigorous state-sponsored education, military training and socialization program. Known as the Agoge, the system emphasized duty, discipline and endurance. Although Spartan women were not active in the military, they were educated and enjoyed more status and freedom than other Greek women. Because Spartan men were professional soldiers, all manual labor was done by a slave class, the Helots. Despite their military prowess, the Spartans’ dominance was short-lived: In 371 B.C., they were defeated by Thebes at the Battle of Leuctra, and their empire went into a long period of decline.

The word “spartan” means self-restrained, simple, frugal and austere. The word laconic, which means pithy and concise, is derived from the Spartans, who prized brevity of speech. Mystras - a special destination. The perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural tradition. The Byzantine castle enchants every visitor. Walking through the narrow cobblestone streets makes people feel like the glorious world of the Middle Ages comes to life. The Frankish castle of the 13th century dominates the plain of Sparta.

Rightly recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.