One or Two Days Taxi Tour

Sparta in Southern Greece was founded in the 10th c. B.C. in a fertile plain of Laconia, by the Dorian's, who defeated the original inhabitants of the area. Its remoteness was an advantage to the warring Spartans and the high mountains to the east, north, and west, and the sea to the south, formed natural defenses.

Following the road from Sparta which passes through plane trees, cypresses, olive trees, mulberries and orange trees we reach Mystras. In the distance, mount Taygetos looms proudly. We scan its innumerable peaks, precipitous slopes and deep gorges until our gaze suddenly rests on a hill, detached from the mountain range. On the naturally defended hill of Myzithras in Lacedaimon, the ruler of the Frankish Principate of Achaia Guillaume de Villehardouin built in 1249 a strong medieval castle the "Oriokastro" which was to play an important role in the history of the last centuries of the Byzantine empire.

Greece Taxi tour leaves Athens drives westwards along the scenic coast , through the ancient areas of Elefsis and Megara until we reach the Corinth canal with its breathtaking views (short stop / on the bridge, which is the highest point of the canal -80 meters high and 6 km long- which connects the Aegean Sea to the Ionian Sea (short stop). We continue for Sparta and the Byzantine town of Mystras.

The ancient theatre of Sparta is on the southern side of the Acropolis of Sparta. We do not know whether there was a theatre on this site in archaic times, if there was a structure of some kind, it would have been wooden, or the natural form of the slope itself may have served the purpose, as it did for contemporary Athenians as the theatre of Dionysus. View our virtual tour http://youtu.be/0fnqh343GZg?hd=1

Excavations began at the end of last century under the guidance of American and Greek archaeologists while since 1905 digging has been carried out by the British Archaeological school of Athens. New excavations have begun five years ago, mainly at the area of the theatre and the shops. The most important monuments of the side are: The temple of Athena Chalkiokos, goddess and protector's of Sparta, on the top of the Acropolis is defined more by some indications from the excavation rather than by the  architectural ruins themselves. The temple which was constructed on the plans of the architect Vathykles from Magnesia and Gitiadas the very talented Spartan poet and sculptor, decorated the Temple with bronze plates.

There was definitely a structure there later on, in classical times, as Herodotus mentions it in connection with events taking place in 465 BC. The stone theatre that we see today was built in Hellenistic times (1st century BC). Slightly later, in the time of Augustus, Eurycles, the wealthy Spartan who was a personal friend of the Emperor and had close ties with Rome, presented the town with a new marble stage as well as other gifts. The Emperor Vespasianus (AD 69-79) had donated another, larger and more splendid stage - one that, with a few modifications, was to remain in use until the end of ancient times, until the reign of Emperor Theodosius (AD 379-395). When a study wall was built round the acropolis of Sparta at the end of 3rd century AD to help it withstand Heruli raids, the theatre was included in the citadel and may have continued to function for a time. It was later abandoned, ruined and buried under small Byzantine houses. Now preserves the orchestra, the retaining walls of the curvature with inscriptions of the rulers of Sparta during Roman times and part of curvature of the large theatre. The scene was used to be wheeled in metal bars fixed to the ground.

You can view our portfolio of photos at http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Sparta