Mystras, The Palace Area Lakonia, Greece

Right beneath the Castle fortifications in the top of this mountainous hill, lies the area where the Despots had their living quarters, their administration services and any other military structures needed to protect this area. Very close to the Palace is the magnificent church of Agia Sofia which served as a chapel for the Despots to have their personal confinement with God.

From this place, the Despot Constantine Palaiologos (Palaeologus) along with his courtyard, begun his long journey of being crowned in the church of Agios Dimitrios of Mystras as Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Emperor of the Byzantine Empire. From here, he sailed to Constantinople and finally die in defending the Empire in 1453 A.D.