Despot's Palace

Mystras, Greece

The Palace of the Despots dominates the Upper Town of Mystra. It is a great complex of buildings belonging to different times of construction. They started to be built by the Franks, possibly by Guillaume de Villehardouin, and were completed by the Byzantines (the Despot was usually a son or brother of the Emperor). 

These palace constitutes a great example of the Byzantine architecture. The whole building complex is L-shaped and has been well-preserved until our days. The palace has four constructions. Some of them have 4 storeys, while others are two-storey mansions. The first building was the residence of the noblemen and the second one was the throne hall.

The Despot used to live in the fourth building, a four-storey construction dating from 1350-1400. The fifth building, built in the 15th century, was the palace of the Paleologos family. All buildings have numerous arches, chambers, attics and cellars. The exterior area is quite austere.

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Address

Unnamed Road, Mystras, Greece
See all sites in Mystras

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Greece

More Information

www.greeka.com
whc.unesco.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


St. Nicholas Church (0,1 km)
Church of Our Lady Evangelistria (0,2 km)
Agia Sophia Church (0,1 km)
Agioi Theodoroi Church (0,2 km)
Agios Demetrios Cathedral (0,2 km)
Pantanassa Monastery (0,3 km)
Brontochion Monastery (0,2 km)
Villehardouin's Castle (0,3 km)
Peribleptos Monastery (0,5 km)

User Reviews

Nacho Boza (4 months ago)
Currently closed for renovations
Xristoforos Makrakis (6 months ago)
Amazing medieval palace built in the 13th century. It housed Byzantine Emperors after the sack of Constantinople from the Latins and also housed Despots from Morea after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks.
Tobi Rückner (13 months ago)
Nice Ancient Place. Palace is for the moment under reconstruction.
Tobi Rückner (13 months ago)
Nice Ancient Place. Palace is for the moment under reconstruction.
Abz Al (15 months ago)
A beautiful archaeological treat in the heart of mystra
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