GRCo25 - CAEC - HERITAGE - Visit to Mystras

The visit to the archaeological site of Mystras constituted a significant educational and cultural activity within the framework of the Erasmus+ project on the Olympic Games. The exploration began from the upper entrance of the site, allowing participants to follow the historical layout of the fortified city while gradually descending through its most important monuments. As the group walked through Mystras, they experienced a journey back in time, discovering one of the most important centers of late Byzantine civilization.

Founded in 1249 and later becoming the capital of the Despotate of the Morea, Mystras developed into a major political, cultural, and intellectual hub. The city was renowned for its impressive fortifications, palaces, churches, and monasteries, many of which are decorated with exceptional frescoes that reflect the artistic excellence of the Byzantine world. Guided through the historic landscape, participants explored the architectural and historical significance of key monuments, gaining insight into the daily life, religious traditions, and administrative organization of the city. Mystras stands as a unique meeting point of Eastern and Western influences and remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolizing both the brilliance and the decline of the Byzantine Empire.

The visit encouraged meaningful reflection on respect for cultural heritage, excellence in human creativity, and friendship through shared learning and dialogue. By engaging with this remarkable historical site, participants experienced how education, history, and culture can promote the Olympic values beyond sport, fostering intercultural understanding, critical thinking, and appreciation of Europe’s shared cultural legacy