Archaeology of the Peloponnese

Summary

The Peloponnese is a place of timeless beauty. From the 3000 year old relics at Mycenae to the classical ruins of Epidavros and the Byzantine churches of Monemvassia, the whole region reeks of history. In the hills above Argos, for example, it takes just the tiniest leap of imagination to look out over the sparkling waters and see the Mycenaen fleet sailing for Troy. The Greeks and the Spartans fought out the Peloponnesian war here, to be followed in turn by Romans, Goths and Slavs, Franks, Turks and Venetians. Nowadays the atmosphere is one of peace and tranquillity, but the connection with the past, with battles won and civilisations lost, is inescapable.

Archaeological highlights of our tour include the Lion’s Gate at Mycenae, the most ancient piece of monumental sculpture in Europe; the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo Maleatis and the Theatre with its awe-inspiring acoustics at Epidavros; the church of Agia Sophia in the Fort City of Monemvassia; the amazingly well-preserved site at Messene and the eerie, dead city of Mystras, casting its silent gaze over the plain around Sparta.

Tour highlights:

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• Venetian and neoclassical architecture in Nafplion
• The Lion Gate at Mycenae
• The dead city of Mistras
• A time capsule at Monemvasia
• The impressively well-preserved and unspoilt site of Messene