| Sparta Σπάρτη | ||
 | ||
| State | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Laconia | |
| Altitude | 210 m a.s.l. | |
| Inhabitants | 36 540 (2001) | |
| Name inhabitants | Spartans | |
| Prefix tel | 30 27310 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 231 00 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Sparta (Σπάρτη, Spárti; in Doric Σπάρτα, Spártā) is the capital of Laconia, region of Peloponnese.
To know
Main rival polis of Athens, was among the protagonists of the history of ancient Greece. Today the city is rather sleepy and the rhythms are rather slow.
Geographical notes
It is a city of Greece located in Peloponnese south, located on a backdrop of lush hills on the right of the Eurota river between the reliefs of Parnone to the east and Taygetos to the west in the peripheral unit of Laconia at an altitude of 210m.
Background
In the classical age, Sparta was important and feared thanks to its army, which dominated the Peloponnese. However, when she managed to subdue all of Greece, winning the Peloponnesian war, she could not manage the conquered territories and began its decline, which led it to return to a country village within a few centuries from its maximum splendor.
At the decree of King Otto of Greece, today's city of Sparta was built in 1834 near the site of the original city. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, the city was designed to be a model for all Greek cities. The modern city still reflects this original vision, and is a very pleasant and green city.
How to orient yourself
Sparta: full screen map.
The city of Sparta has a very simple plan. From north to south it is crossed by the main Kon / nou Palaiologou road which intersects with Leof. Likourgou. The intersection between the two roads corresponds to the center. While the ancient town is located further north on a hill beyond the municipal stadium. Here we find the agora and the ancient theater.
How to get
By car
You can reach Sparta from Tripoli from the north through the 
, the road continues until Gythio.
From the west, the 
leads from Calamata through the Taygetos mountains to Sparta.
By bus
- 1 Bus station (KTEL) (it is located at the eastern end of Lycurgus Street).
- There are also several daily connections (except Sundays) for Mystras.
How to get around
By taxi
Here are the radio taxis of the city:
- Leonidas, ☎ 30 2731024100.
- SpartaTaxi, ☎ 30 2731200200.
What see
Few archaeological finds remain of the ancient city, which stood in the immediate vicinity of present-day Sparta: the remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Artemis Orthia, dating back to the beginning of the 9th century, the acropolis with the temple to Athena Chalkioikos and a theater from the Hellenistic-Roman period.
- 1 Sparta Archaeological Museum, 71, Osiou Nikonos, ☎ 30 2731 021516.
2 € full, 1 € reduced (Feb 2018). 
8:00-15:00. It preserves many artifacts found in old Sparta in 1910. 
- 2 Museum of olive oil and Greek olive oil, 129, "Othonos-Amalias", ☎ 30 2731 089315. € 3.00 full, € 1.5 reduced. From 1st March to 15th October: Wed-Mon 10 am-6pm. From October 16 to February 28: Wed-Mon 10: 00-17: 00. The history of olive oil production from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.
2 € full, 1 € reduced (Feb 2018). 
8:00-15:00. It preserves many artifacts found in old Sparta in 1910.
- 3 Leonidas statue, Triakosion 77 (At the stadium). Statue of the Spartan king who bravely died in Thermopylae with the 300 soldiers to stop the Persian advance.
- 4 Koumantarios Gallery - Sparta National Art Gallery, Kon / nou Palaiologou 123, ☎ 30 2731 081822. Wed-Mon: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Art Gallery.
- 5 Sparta City Hall, Leof. Likourgou 89. The town hall is located in a large square in the center of the city with a statue of a Spartan hero.
The Acropolis of Sparta
- 6 Acropolis of Sparta. free (May 2018). Mon-Sun 08: 00-18: 00. Remains of the temple of Athena Chalkioikos on top of the Acropolis and a large Byzantine basilica dating from the 10th century AD. On the south side of the acropolis there is an ancient theater dating back to the early imperial period. Keep the orchestra and part of the cavea. Excavations carried out by the British Archaeological School of Athens have provided evidence of decorated shops serving people attending theatrical performances.
7 Ancient theater of Sparta (Αρχαίο Θέατρο Σπάρτης). The recently discovered theater is not from the Greek era, as you might think, but from the Roman era. In fact, it dates back to the III-II century BC. Of it remains the shape of the stalls and some steps of the staircase. Also on the right side of the stalls there is a retaining wall full of Greek inscriptions that testify to an imprint of the past.
- 8 Temple of Athena Chalkioikos. It is one of the most important in the city and was excavated in the early 20th century. The temple is ancient from the Mycenaean period, i.e. from the eighth century BC. It was used until the 4th century AD. when it was donated and houses were built upstairs. A historical event that happened to King Pausanias, as well as commander of the armies in the battle of Platea in 479 BC, is associated with this temple. He was accused of having sympathy for the Persians and for this after a period of observation his arrest was requested, but he took refuge inside the sanctuary. In order not to profane the place he was locked inside until dying of hunger and thirst he was captured and killed. The sanctuary was important as it was the place where various processions linked to the life of young Spartans and adult soldiers ended, moreover military and sporting victories were celebrated in front of it. Inside, many statues have been found including the marble torso of the hoplite soldier known as Leonidas, now in the Sparta Museum.
- 9 Basilica of San Nikone. building dated between the sixth and seventh centuries. It is an important church considered the cathedral of the Lacedaemonians.
- 10 The circular building. The circular building was built along the perimeter of the hill with stone blocks that contained the earth on a surface that was then made flat. The monument was altered by the presence of a Byzantine church in the west of the 10th century which altered the integrity of the monument. In the superficial part there was a floor with a circular colonnade and statues. In reality this monument has not yet been identified.
- 11 Roman Stoà. To the east of the circular building there is the Roman stoà dated between 125 and 150 AD. as the southern limit of the agora. The Doric order building measured 187x14 meters and was oriented along the east-west axis. On the east side there were arched colonnades. In the Byzantine period between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries it underwent important changes to the structure.
- 12 Agora of Sparta. The Agora of Sparta came to light in the 60s of the last century revealing a corner of the stoa and part of polygonal walls. The stoa is located north of the circular monument. The foundations of other Byzantine buildings were also found, a sign of an overlapping of uses of the area. According to the archaeologist Chrysanthos Christou who carried out the excavations, the building can be dated between the third and fourth centuries BC. A statue of Giulia Aquilia Severa from the 3rd century BC was also found in the building. The monument is associated with the stoa of the Persians also described by Pausanias who spoke of elements captured from the Persians and used as decoration.
Other archaeological sites
The city is full of minor archaeological sites that can be visited in a few minutes. Many of them are not accessible and in some cases even not very visible due to the weed.
- 13 Leonidaion (Tomb of Leonidas), Agidos 77. Stone blocks, perhaps from an ancient temple, commonly known as the Tomb of Leonidas, whose real function is still questioned.
- 14 Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, Kleomenous 4.
- 15 Eurotas altar.
- 16 Ancient sanctuary.
- 17 Baths and Roman road, Triakosion. The remains are visible along the road, but beyond the building, on the north side the vestiges continue.
- 18 Roman villa (Villa of the Medusa).
- 19 Roman villa (Villa of Euricles).
- 20 Altar of Psychic.
- 21 Remains of a church (Τρίκογχος Βυζαντινός ναός).
- 22 Late Roman and Byzantine spa complex.
- 23 Byzantine church. Three-nave church from the 10th century.
Events and parties
- summer cultural festival. Summer. Festival with music and theatrical events.
- Spartathlon. September. International long distance running sport event.
- Olive and olive oil festival, In the municipality of Oinountas. First weekend of August.
What to do
Shopping
- 1 Market, 9ης Μεραρχίας, ☎ 30 2731 081282.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Apollon Hotel, 84, Thermopylon Street, ☎ 30 27310 22491-3, 30 27310 23936.
- 2 Cecil Hotel, 125, K. Paleologou Street, ☎ 30 27310 24980, fax: 30 27310 81318, 30 27310 24980, @[email protected].
- 3 Lakonia Hotel, 89, K. Paleologou Street, ☎ 30 27310 28951-2, fax: 30 27310 82257, @[email protected].
- 4 Sparta Inn Hotel, 109, Thermopylon Street, ☎ 30 27310 21021-3, 30 27310 20421-3, fax: 30 27310 24855, @[email protected].
Average prices
- 5 Maniatis Hotel, 91, K. Paleologou Avenue, ☎ 30 27310 22161, fax: 30 27310 26332, @[email protected].
- 6 Menelaion Hotel, 91, K. Paleologou Avenue, ☎ 30 27310 22161, fax: 30 27310 26332, @[email protected].
Safety
- Police, ☎ 30 27310 89580.
- 2 General Hospital of Laconia, ☎ 30 2731 028671.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Mystras - The ruined city of the Byzantine era is located just 7 km west of Sparta, on the slopes of the Taygetos Mountains.
