Gates, Towers, Arches, Steps and Paths at Mystras

The Main Gate, like many others at Mystras (and other sites in Greece) are arch shaped from stone or stone and brick, with stone steps and through a fortified wall.

A wonderful pictorial overview of the incredible wildlife and flora of Mystras!

There are three entrances to Mystras, a lower (Main Gate)  an upper gate near the castle (castero) and the gate of Monevasia. The site is beautifully maintained with museum-setting descriptions along the paths and helpful maps at the gift shop. It is clear that there has been serious excavation, restoration and archeological clarity and artisitic display of the treasures of this site. We entered from the lower (Main Gate), were greeted by a dog and read this exhibit sign:

“The security of the city required that there should be only a limited number of gates. Gates were usually small so as to discourage the concentration of large numbers of soldiers in front of them during attack or siege. They were regarded as the most vulnerable points in fortifications. Towers were a necessary reinforcement of these gates. One tower above the gate as here, or two towers flanking it, provided space for the deployment of defensive forces…the towers also facilitated the use of war machinery like the catapult “ballista” or lycos (an anti-battering ram, grappling device)…”,



The Lattice Brown Butterfly, found only in the Balkans and at Mystras

Gates, Towers and Arches

Paths, Steps and Floors