Greece: Nauplia, Mystras

Nauplia is a seaport town that has expanded up the hillsides. The town was the capital of Greece between 1821-1834.
The Bourtzi Castle (below) is located in the middle of the harbor of Nauplia. The Venetians completed its fortification in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. The Greeks regained it from Turks on June 18, 1822.

The Palamidi Castle with fortress (below) is settled on a hill in Nauplia. It was built by the Venetians during their second occupation between 1686-1715. The fortress was captured by the Turks in 1715 and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks.

Mystras (below) is a fortified town, situated on Mt. Taygetos, near ancient Sparta. From 1262, when the Byzantines became the rules of Mystras, a brilliant period began for this medieval fortress-state. The hill filled with houses, mansions, palaces, churches and fortified monasteries. Further, the densely-populated city was provided two enclosure walls. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Mystras experienced a period of prosperity and cultural flowering, closely connected with Constantinople. The site remained inhabited throughout the Ottoman period, when it was mistaken by Western travelers for ancient Sparta. It was abandoned in 1830s.

Pantanassa Monastery (below) was built by the Protostrator (high court official) in 1428. He built a masterful synthesis by copying the Hodegetria's architectural type and borrowing from Gothic art for its decoration.

 

The church of the Metropolis (below) was most probably built after Mystras was turned over to the Byzantines, 1262. Its important frescos are characterized by a variety of styles, owing to the different periods when they were painted, late 13th - early 14th centuries.