Superkatt
There is not much left of Spartan Acropolis, the most of monuments here are from roman times. First on a way to Acropolis you pass roman Acropolis walls, coming to the ruins of a Round Building, Rotunda. Then turning left after some 200 meters you reach the ruins of roman Theatre, large but mostly unexcavated. None the less the views to Taygetes mountains from here are magnificent, and if you can read greek inscriptions, there is a lot of reading waiting on the remaining walls of Theatre. When you climb up to the upper rows of the Theatre, you reach the highest part of Acropolis, there little to the left can be seen the ruins of ancient Sanctuary to Athena Chalkioikos, Guardian of the City, dating back to Archaic Spartan times, 6 c BC. The first Temple to Athena on those grounds was build of bronse, hence the name - Of Bronse House. Very little of Temple remains, but anyway here it was. More on the site on the way down to the right - ruins of early Christian Basilica. Promenade roads here are very pleasant, whole area is planted with giant and very old olive trees, in the springtime multitude of flowers flowering everywhere and it smells wonderful. Address: follow central street Konstantinou Paleologou to the North, turn left along the Stadium and then turn right and up to Akropoleos street. This Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia was grounded ca 8 c BC. If driving car, Sanctuary is easy to find following road-signs, some 200 m from the bridge over Eurotos on the bank of the river. Unfortunately, the Sanctuary is closed until further notice, and the most one can get is to go around the enclosure and take some pictures through the fence. If walking, be aware that the area is somewhat down, and further ahead on the way there are very poor living/industrial quarters.Very very pity that no one can open the gates if interested people coming by. Maybe it can be a proposal to those in charge: sometimes in the world it is possible to example to pick up keys somewhere (often at the Archeological museum of the city) and so see the attraction for additional cost.So it is impossible to say anything about how this Sanctuary looks like, but - we were thereSanctuary of Apollo AmycleosThis Sanctuary is along with those dedicated to Athena Chalkioikos and Artemis Orthia, one of few remains in the area dated from times of Archaic and Classical Sparta, it was grounded ca 8 c BC. The Sanctuary yo Apollo karneo was built on previous religious cultsite of Mycenaean times to divinity of vegetation Hyacintos. The god was venerated here as Apollo Hyacintos.If driving car, Sanctuary is easy to find following road-signs, some 10-15 km200 m from the centre of Sparta by road to the south and sea.. Unfortunately, the Sanctuary is closed until further notice, and the most one can get is to go around the enclosure and take some pictures through the fence. The nearly park-area around the Sanctuary is extremely pleasant with old olive trees, green grasses and lots of flowers . Views to Taygetes mountains with its snow-covered peaks from here are the most emotionally perfected I ever seen.MenelaionThis Sanctuary is known from ancient times of geometric period, and was dedicated to Helena of Sparta and Menelaos, her husband. The structure in form of a pyramid we can see now is from Classical Hellenistic times. To get to the site you need to go north out from the city of Sparta, then cross the bridge over Eurotas, and then immediately turn right, and in some 7-10 km follow signs to Menelaeio to the left. A small not-paved road will take you up hill through woods (some 2-3 km more) to the height of some maybe 30-40 meters, where it is possible to park a car in the end of the road. The way is not easy, but possible to find and make, just get enough time if you drive lost.The view to the Taygetes mountains, the Eurotas river, the modern road and Sparta town itself beneath is surprisingly captivating, and nature all around here is unspoiled and fresh. Very rewarding to come here and feel to be a part of something bigger.The Leonidaion, or the Tomb of King LeonidasIn the central part of the town there is an ancient temple-formed structure made of large rectangular stone blocks, which is beleived to be a Tomb of Spartan King Leonidas. The Spartans that died during the Battle of Thermopylae were buried where they fell, however, the custom for Spartan kings was that they were returned home to Sparta for burial. It was approximately 40 years after the battle that the Spartans retrieved the body of King Leonidas, or so they thought.TheTomb was rised in Sparta for King Leonidas then. Some think that is a cenotaph, that is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a person whose remains are elsewhere.Address is: corner of st. Fermopilon and Agidos.There is also in Sparta a monumental statue to King Leonidas bearing helmet, sword and shield with Gorgon head on, with inscription ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ. Gorgon head referring to wife of Leonidas, her name was Gorgo Statue is situated in front of city stadium, right below the ancient Acropolis and Theatre of Sparta, it dates was from 1968. Address is: corner of st. Konstantionou Paleologou and Ton Triakosion.Archeological Museum of Sparta is not very large, but big enough to contain the most excuisite pieces , found in the area of Lakedemon. It is housed in classical building standing in the well-planned park in the centre of modern Sparta and can well be seen in some 2 hours. The exposition is unique and was made by dedicated people who wanted to present them as good and as optimal as possible, and they succeeded! To walk through rooms of this museum is a pleasure. Every piece tells an wonderful story if one listens.
