Sparta in Laconia Peloponnese

Situated at the shores of Evrotas river and under the watchful eye of Taygetos mountain, Sparta is spread across the valley of the mythical river. Sparta is a simple, uncomplicated and always hospitable place, ready to offer its services to the visitors all throughout the year, since the sights around Sparta, as well as all over the prefecture of Lakonia are so many and of such a kind that they attract the interest of tourists all year through.

The capital of the prefecture of Laconia, located 220 km from Athens, has 14000 inhabitants and a modern and efficient town planning since it was built in the beginning of the modern Greek state according to the 1834’s official town plan. Sparta has the appropriate infrastructure to ensure an enjoyable stay and provide for the organization of tours around the prefecture, since it constitutes not only the administrative but also the transportation center of the prefecture.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF SPARTA

The Archaeological Museum of Sparta is the first Greek Museum that was built in a provincial town (1874-76) and it was designed by the Greek architect G. Katsaros.

It consists of six rooms and a hall. The exhibits include findings from the temple of Artemis Orthia (clay labeled columns commemorating the winners of contests dedicated to goddess Artemis) and the temple of Athena Chalkioikos (bronze idols, pottery, etc), findings from the excavations in Amycles, as well as a small part of the mosaic floors that have been revealed during the excavations around the town of Sparta and used to decorate the wealthy family houses of the Hellenistic and Roman period. There are also two rooms with sculptures, including the statue which is known as Leonidas, and a room with findings from the prehistoric excavations in Pellana and Amycles.

Opening hours: Daily and Sundays 08:30 – 15:00

Address: Osiou Nikonos 71

Tel: 27310 28575

THE ANCIENT THEATER

The Ancient Theater of Sparta is located on the southwestern slope of the Spartan Acropolis just below the temple of Athena. It has a southern orientation, which is a quite common characteristic of the ancient theaters, but because of the natural relief, it leans slightly towards the south. It is one of the biggest ancient theaters, with an external diameter of 140 m. and natural ground, but through the works for the walls, the size of the available space was almost tripled. The current form of the theater dates back to the Roman period and more specifically to its latest reconstruction during the era of emperor Theodosios. 

MENELAION

Located at Therapne, southeast of Sparta, on the opposite shore of Evrotas. The sanctuary of Menelaos and Eleni. A small temple on a high crepidoma having the shape of a pyramid. Its current form dates back to the classical period. However, it should have existed since the geometric period. Excavations east of Menelaion revealed installations dated from the Bronze Age. The earliest phase of the middle-Hellenic period. 

LEONIDAION

Located in the north part of the modern town. A cenotaph which is reportedly from the 5th century B.C. A small replica of a temple, 12.50 m long and 8.30 m wide, built of big limestone and divided in two chambers. It supposedly contained the bones of Leonidas. It lied west of agora, just opposite to the theater. Every year Spartans hold games at Leonidaion.

THE SANCTUARY OF ARTEMIS ORTHIA

A large altar, 24m long and 7m wide, 100 meters east of the Evrotas bridge and a small square sanctuary define the importance of the area, where the settlement of Limnes was found. But the most important site is the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, which was also named Limnaion and Limnatis after the name of the region. Artemis is a goddess that was deeply worshiped in Peloponnese and more specifically in Lakonia and Sparta.

The first Dorians that came here constructed a temenos with a small altar in the open air. The first temple was built in the middle of 8th century BC. It was destroyed by a flood in 600 BC. A new, bigger temple was constructed, which was restored in the 5th and the 2nd century BC as well as in the 3rd century AC. Based on the inscriptions, the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, who was the goddess of fertility and growth and was protecting the childhood and the early puberty, was the place where a significant part of the children’s education took place. This fact highlights even stronger the significance of the sanctuary since it is well known that Spartans gave particular attention to the education of young people.

THE SANCTUARY OF ATHENA POLIOUCHOS OR CHALKIOIKOS

A big temple of Sparta, located at the top of Acropolis’ hill, above the theater. In the ancient years, a temenos with an altar was constructed. In the 6th century BC a small temple with an enclosure contained the statue of Athena Poliouchos. The interior of the temple was covered with bronze sheets, hence the name of Athena Chalkoikos. This was the most important cult site of ancient Sparta, where public gatherings, parades, and horse-races took place.

Lykourgos, Paysanias and Agis D, among others, found asylum at the temple. During the roman period, the sanctuary of Artemis became more important than that of Athena. In the 4th century AC houses were built within the enclosure of the temple. In the 7th century the basilica of Christ Saviour was built.

THE TOMB OF VAFIO

One of the most important archaeological discoveries in Greece, located in Vafio close to Amycles. The archaeological excavations brought to light a vaulted tomb containing two golden cups. These findings underline the significance of the region during the post-Hellenic and Mycenaean period.

The Mycenaean vaulted tomb of Vafio, constructed from small, carved stones, has been the subject of many archaeological studies and has become worldwide known because of the two golden cups found inside the tomb. These cups, bearing depictions of wild bull hunting, can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, and even though the location of the palace of Mycenaean Sparta has not been identified, they constitute evidence of the prosperity and development of the region much earlier than 1000 B.C. The region's significance has been attested also by the discovery of the Mycenaean tombs in the location "Spilakia".

source by lakonia.gr