On my first trip to Greece with my husband twenty-some years ago, we visited the historic Byzantine fortress of Mystras, Peloponnese. We were accompanied by my husband’s life-long Athenian friends. I remember entering Mystras via a narrow dirt path along a steep hillside from which a slip and fall would have lead to unfortunate consequences. Despite my strong reluctance to walk the path, I pressed forward and was rewarded by the breathtaking ruins of Mystras.

For many years since, we’ve made an annual road trip to the Neapolis, Laconia region of Peloponnese to visit friends and family. When it’s time to return to Athens, we are loaded with gifts of olive oil, honey, sweets, fruits, and farm-fresh vegetables. The organic, family grown and locally processed olive oil is like gold to us.

To take the olive oil home with us to California, it needs special packaging. So, every year on our way back to Athens, we stop at a packaging shop on the outskirts of Sparta. While the olive oil is packaged, our usual routine is to head one of our favorite tavernas nestled in the foothills of Mount Taygetos under the fortress of Mystras. This year we were determined to also make time to revisit Mystras. So we did, with two hours left until closing. Please note, at least four hours is needed to explore the lower town of the ancient city at a leisurely pace.

Upon entering the main gate of Mystras, we headed first to the right side of the lower town and came upon the Metropolis (Cathedral of Saint Demetrios), one of the most important churches of Mystras founded in 1292 AD. Combining features of ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings, the church has prominent rounded roof lines, arched passageways, and domed ceilings. Inside the church are frescoes illustrating the miracles of Christ and the life of the Virgin Mary, as well as, frescoes that depict the torture and burial of Saint Demetrios, the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

Walk with me through the courtyard and passageways into the church where I’m featuring one door that leads into and out of the church from several points of view.

More to come later about our fast-paced tour of the lower town of Mystras.

Inspiration: Thursday Doors.