Mystras

Mystras, often spelled Myzithras, was a fortified Greek town in the Peloponnese region of Laconia. In 1249 BC, William II of Villehadouin, the Prince of Achaia, established it on 131.9 km2. It was located close to ancient Sparta on Mount Taygetos and served as the administrative center of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea in the 14th–15th century BC.

Mystras is a little bit of an outlier. Mystras was made the second city during the latter years of the Eastern Empire when all that remained was the region around Constantinople and Morea (the Peloponnese). When Constantinople started to collapse, it went through a tremendous cultural and social boom. Soon after, it started to attract philosophers, academics, and engineers. Plethon, a notable philosopher who lived and worked at Mystras, would eventually flee to Italy and contribute to the beginning of the Renaissance.

This city was renowned for its architecture, just like the majority of other Roman towns. This city had higher cultural values than other cities due to the legacy of many academics, engineers, and philosophers, notably philosopher Gemistus Pletho. The Byzantine Castle of Mystras, one of the most well-known fortresses, is also the cause of its fame. It is situated in the southern Peloponnese, close to Sparti Town. This castle includes a large palace on top of the hill and is encircled by Byzantine walls.