Sparti Sightseeing

The Acropolis of Sparti:  There is little to marvel at on the site of ancient Sparta, since from the 6th century B.C,  its citizens lived amidst such austerity,  Their way of life was said to be their only monument,  Traces of the acropolis and theater (2nd or 1st century B.C.) can be seen, but much of the marble that formed the seats was removed for use of Mystras,  Fragments from the Roman and Byzantine eras lie scattered about the stage,  Behind the theater of Sparta stood the temple of Athena Chalkioikos, where the persecuted could find refuge.

The Leonidaion:  A replica of a temple, this monument to Leonidas contained the bones of the hero of Thermopylae; it lies to the north of Sparta.

The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia:  The foundations of this Archaic temple (6th C,  B.C) lie about 1 km from the acropolis of Sparta,  It was the scene of some unusual rites, including the flogging of Spartan boys, performed in honor of the goodness.

The Menelaion:  This shrine to the deified Menelaos and Helen was built on the hill of Profitis Ilias, about 5 km southeast of Sparta,  Excavations have revealed the existence of a 5th century B.C,  temple containing votive offerings to Helen, which are on display in the Archaeological Museum in Sparta.

The Sanctuary of Apollo of Amyklae:  The ancient city of Amyklae was situated some 8 km south of Sparta,  It was inhabited from the Bronze Age and remained the capital of a dynasty that ruled from Archaic times until the First Messinian War (743 - 724 B.C.), when it was conquered by the Spartans (who made helots of the survivors),  On the hill of Agia Kiriaki, one can see remnants of the Archaic Sanctuary of Apollo, which at one time boasted an enormous statue of the god seated on the altar-tomb of Hyakinthos, a pre-Greek divinity, in whose honor were held the Hyakinthia, one of the most important Spartan religious festivals.

Vafeion Tomb:  A bit to the south, on Vafeion Hill, excavations brought to light a Mycenaean vaulted (beehive) tomb, containing splendid gold and silver artifacts,