Sparta, the city state occupying the central finger of Peloponnese, was the greatest military power of Greece and played a catalytic role in her history. There is very little left of ancient Sparta, as their glory was not built in stone but in their legacy.

Modern Sparta, the capital of Lakonia, was founded in 1836 by settlers who were made homeless after the destruction of Mystras during the War of Independence.

Sparta is today a small town with around 20,000 inhabitants, however this small valley in Laconia (hence the Greek L on Spartan shields) was home to what were probably the greatest individual fighting men that the world has seen. Men who were prepared for war from the moment that they were born.

E TAN I EPI TAS

Return with your shield, or on your shield. (Spartan mothers saying this to their sons as they left for war).

Μολών λαβέ ! (Molon labe : Come and get them!)

King Leonidas two words response to king of Persia Xerxes demanding that the Spartans lay down their arms, is a saying that is still remembered and used with reverence.


This small corner of the world is now quiet, its great sons are long dead, and with the very sparse ruins that have remained, there is almost a sense of sorrow in this peaceful valley overlooked by the great Taygettos mountains, it is as if the land itself is still in mourning for its lost heores. However there is also a real beauty in this sorrow, the beauty of a small provincial town that was once the dread of the entire known world, whose military feats and courage are still celebrated today.


http://www.worldexperts.com/laconia/gr/LaconiaMap.jpg


http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3238/leonidas_en1.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/240/grece7.jpg

http://www.elevatedloc.com/cfool/PhotoGallery/Greece/Miscellaneous/Sparta.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3238/sparta_te.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/13004/shine.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/2920/taygetos_0095.jpg

http://www.treklens.com/images/photos/239/menelaion_ir.jpg

http://www.pierluigisurace.it/imagerie/images/aatw/DOT_Greece_vii_Peloponnese_Sparta_2.jpg

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Greece/Sparta/Sparta-acropolis.jpg

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Greece/Sparta/Sparta-theater2.jpg http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Greece/Sparta/Sparta-theater4.jpg

http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/Sparta-theater4.jpg http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/Sparta-theater1.jpg

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Greece/Sparta/Sparta-site2.jpg http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Greece/Sparta/Sparta-site1.jpg

http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/Sparta-site1.jpg

http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/Sparta0.jpg

http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/sparta_laconia3.jpg http://www.mingyuen.edu.hk/history/4greece/13sparta/sparta_lcaonia8.jpg

http://www.pierluigisurace.it/imagerie/images/aatw/DOT_Greece_vii_Peloponnese_Sparta_5.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3238/menelaion.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/3238/men2.jpg

http://www.greecetaxi.gr/Sparti/Sparta03.jpg

http://www.pierluigisurace.it/imagerie/images/aatw/DOT_Greece_vii_Peloponnese_Sparta_8.jpg

http://www.greecetaxi.gr/Sparti/Sparta01.jpg

http://www.greecetravel.com/peloponessos/photoalbum/laconia/sparta.jpg http://www.greecetravel.com/peloponessos/photoalbum/laconia/sparta2.jpg

http://www.greecetravel.com/peloponessos/photoalbum/laconia/spartamenelaon.jpg http://www.greecetravel.com/peloponessos/photoalbum/laconia/spartataxis.jpg

http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21105m/00/medium/mk05m051.jpg http://www.laconia.org/Museum_of_sparta.jpg

http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21105m/00/large/lk05m059.jpg http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21105m/00/large/lk05m05a.jpg

http://flavianomega.tripod.com/spartan/hoplitodromos.jpg

http://www.legion-fourteen.com/Copy%20of%20greek3.jpg

http://www.legion-fourteen.com/spartans.jpg

http://www.livius.org/a/1/greeks/leonidas.jpg


I will make some more threads for Mystras and the rest of Laconia soon.

Awesome post Olympiad!

Sparta may not be a large city, but it certainly is a beautiful one. Its urban design is superior to most Greek cities today and it is a shame that many people don't take the time to visit Sparta as much. Thanks for posting these wonderful photos :okay:

Beatiful

Thanks Olympiad

I though that Sparta was a dead-town. Now I see that it's a nice and amazing place... :)

Not dead at all! A Question, why do so many people write there location in Greek? :?

Not dead at all! A Question, why do so many people write there location in Greek? :?
you mean the word "Sparta"?

When I was a teenager, Sparta had a huge base of Heavy Metal - my favorite music - fans, as well as Classic Rock followers. Also, they had Totem, one of the best pubs, and a twin to a Brittish pub, if I recall correctly. Sparta, in addition to the above, had some decent Heavy Metal bands; that was a tough thing to achieve back then, especially for a city as small as Sparta. Nothing to do with urbanity, but nevertheless interesting.

Actually I found Sparta to be one of the best cities in Greece with regards to urban planning. Nothing fancy, yet nothing in missing - The epitope of "doric" measure in everything.

Beautiful city and thanks for the pics and comments.

Actually I found Sparta to be one of the best cities in Greece with regards to urban planning. Nothing fancy, yet nothing in missing - The epitope of "doric" measure in everything.

Beautiful city and thanks for the pics and comments.

gm2263, that may be because King Otto ordered that a new Sparta be built on the location of the ancient city next to Mystras.

The modern city was designed by the Bavarian architect, Stauffert, in 1834.
With his Bavarian background, and inspiration from the the grand cities of 19th century Europe, he designed a very well planned and beautiful city. It has large tree-lined boulevards, parklands, open horizons and has a spacious feel to it.

The layout of the main thoroughfare, Konstandinou Paleologou Avenue is indicative of the planning. It has many fine pieces of neoclasical architecture and is cleverly crossed by commercial avenues with public squares to the left and right.

Sparta is certainly worth a visit.

:)

I read somewhere that the true descendants of the ancient Spartans are the modern day Maniates. During the Slav invasions of the 6th-7th centuries the Spartans retreated to the Mani peninsula where they remained isolated for many centuries. They even remained pagan, worshipping the ancient Greek gods up until the 9th century AD.

I read somewhere that the true descendants of the ancient Spartans are the modern day Maniates. During the Slav invasions of the 6th-7th centuries the Spartans retreated to the Mani peninsula where they remained isolated for many centuries. They even remained pagan, worshipping the ancient Greek gods up until the 9th century AD.
Today 06:34 PM

George ανοίγεις μεγάλη συζήτηση τώρα , που ίσως πάει πολύ μακριά.
Πες μου που το άκουσες/διάβασες αυτό , κάποια δόση αλήθειας υπάρχει , αλλά καλό είναι να μη μπλέξουμε τώρα σε συζητήσεις για το ποιοι είναι πιο καθαροί και ποιοι όχι. :)

ΣΠΑΡΤΗ - SPARTA

Δύο από τα πιο χαρακτηριστικά στοιχεία της Σπάρτης όπως πολύ σωστά αναφέρατε είναι η θαυμάσια ρυμοτομία της , και ο θαυμάσιος καταπράσινος κάμπος που την περιβάλλει.
Ο κάμπος του Ευρώτα ( από τη Σπάρτη μέχρι τις εκβολές του ) είναι η μεγαλύτερη παραγωγός περιοχή σε εσπεριδοειδή και ειδικά πορτοκάλια.
Παντού στα περίχωρα της πόλης θα βρείτε μεγάλους "μπαξέδες" με πορτοκαλιές και μαντορινιές.
Επιπλέον ο επιβλητικός όγκος του Ταϋγέτου κυριαρχεί και είναι εμφανής από όλα τα σημεία της πόλης.
Ο ταΰγετος είναι το πιο ψηλό όρος της Πελοποννήσου , με υψόμετρο 2,407 m.

Η πόλη γενικά είναι πολύ ήσυχη και κάπως απομονωμένη κυρίως λόγω έλλειψης σιδηροδρομικής σύνδεσης καθώς και σύγχρονου οδικού δικτύου ( υπάρχει μόνο η κλασική εθνική οδός με αρκετές στροφές )

κάποιες επιπλέον φωτογραφίες από την πόλη της Σπάρτης :

http://www.targis.net/images/athensparti/SpartiDowntown6.jpg

http://www.targis.net/images/athensparti/SpartiDowntown4.jpg

The archaeological museum of Sparta (αρχαιολογικό μουσείο )
http://www.targis.net/images/athensparti/SpartiMuseum.jpg

Με σθγχωρεις φιλε μου Γεροπλατανε, αλλα θα πρεπει να σου κανω μια μικρη διορθωση με το θεμα του υψους του Ταυγετου, που δεν ειναι το ψηλο ορος της Πελοποννησου, μιας και για παραδειγμα ο Χελμος στην Αχαια ειναι ψηλοτερο, με υψος περιπου στα 2455 μετρα, αν και δεν ειμαι σιγουρος εαν ειναι το ψηλοτερο της Πελοποννησου, παντως ειμαι οτι ειναι μεγαλυτερο απο τον Ταυγετο.

Με συγχωρεις φιλε μου Γεροπλατανε, αλλα θα πρεπει να σου κανω μια μικρη διορθωση με το θεμα του υψους του Ταυγετου, που δεν ειναι το ψηλοτερο ορος της Πελοποννησου, μιας και για παραδειγμα ο Χελμος στην Αχαια ειναι ψηλοτερο, με υψος περιπου στα 2455 μετρα, αν και δεν ειμαι σιγουρος εαν ειναι το ψηλοτερο της Πελοποννησου, παντως ειμαι οτι ειναι μεγαλυτερο απο τον Ταυγετο.

Με συγχωρεις φιλε μου Γεροπλατανε, αλλα θα πρεπει να σου κανω μια μικρη διορθωση με το θεμα του υψους του Ταυγετου, που δεν ειναι το ψηλοτερο ορος της Πελοποννησου, μιας και για παραδειγμα ο Χελμος στην Αχαια ειναι ψηλοτερο, με υψος περιπου στα 2455 μετρα, αν και δεν ειμαι σιγουρος εαν ειναι το ψηλοτερο της Πελοποννησου, παντως ειμαι οτι ειναι μεγαλυτερο απο τον Ταυγετο.

Φίλε Γρηγόρη δεν είναι έτσι όπως τα λες , ο χελμός έχει ύψος 2,355 (ή 2,341 ) μέτρα και όχι 3,455 ίσως να το μπέρδεψες.

Αυτό μπορείς να το ελέγξεις σε όποιο βιβλίο η εγκυκλοπαίδια θέλεις. :)
Για πιο έυκολη αναζήτηση θα πρότεινα το site www.mountains.gr


Ο Ταΰγετος είναι όντως το πιο ψηλό βουνό στην Πελοπόννησο. (κορυφή προφήτης Ηλίας , 2,404 m)
Ακολουθούν τα υπόλοιπα (ζήρια,χελμός,ερύμανθος,μαίναλο,παναχαϊκό κτλπ )

Directions to Ancient Sparta
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7286/06spartasignkx2.jpg
Ancient Sparta,
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1116/img0392wb9.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2888/img0394gb8.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Ancient Theatre,
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/509/img0383ca6.jpg
1960's Statue of Leonidas,
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3531/img0400mi2.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Reverse side of Leonidas Satue
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2233/01leonidasbackqd3.jpg
Shield, Come back with it or on it!
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8067/05spartashieldsg6.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta) at 2008-07-16
Modern Olympic Plaque honouring Spartan victors of Olympic Games,
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3772/img0414fg2.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Modern city of Sparta,
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2617/img0417hy2.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8306/07spartastreetqo3.jpg
Peripetro/Kiosk
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4379/img0429jl5.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Statue of Lycurgos
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1316/012lykourgosmh3.jpg
Spartan City Hall,
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1308/img0424vm0.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Main Square
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6572/img0423ww7.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Mosaic Replica in Sparta's main Square
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3958/img0425nu1.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Another Mosaic Replica in Sparta's main Square
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9634/img0426fd7.jpg
Sparta Museum, neoclassical building 1860s,
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1384/spartamuseum2hg6.jpg
Sparta Museum
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/3391/02museumdc9.jpg
Statue
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5756/03museumxd7.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Another unique statue,
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/469/couplestatuevl3.jpg
Sparta's Archaeological Museum Park
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/7357/011museumsa9.jpg
Statue of Leonidas,
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3708/img0361go8.jpg
By sonofsparta (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sonofsparta),
Sparta Museum, bronze figures
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8094/img0375zi6.jpg

Α ρε πατρίδα ... :) Εξαίρετο το άρθρο Sonofsparta :)

Love seeing pics of Sparti, where my ancestors came from.:)

View taken from Mistra in the distance the Laconia valley, Sparta
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3391/img0299kd7.jpg
Street
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9643/img0467qc3.jpg
Street
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/125/img0416kk9.jpg
Street at Night
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/4562/010spartastreetnightkp8.jpg
City Hall and main Square
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1251/img0470zu4.jpg
City Hall and main Square
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7413/img0468wl5.jpg
Main Square
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/999/img0469py8.jpg
Main Square
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9126/img0422rv2.jpg
Church
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7918/img0418wk4.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4721/img0406dh2.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7726/sapartanxh7.jpg

Η λέξη ντροπή είναι το μονό που σκέφτομαι όταν θυμάμαι το αρχαιολογικό μουσείο της Σπάρτης όταν το επισκέφτηκα το καλοκαίρι του 2006. Το καλύτερο περιστατικό ήταν ο φύλακας που με ακολουθούσε ώστε να ανοιγοκλείνει τα φώτα στην κάθε αίθουσα που επισκεπτόμουν…τραγικό. Πάντως η κατάσταση δεν φαίνεται να αλλάζει, διαβάστε το άρθρο από την Καθημερινή.

http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_2_18/09/2008_285118
Στη Σπάρτη θέλουν μουσείο και όχι υποσχέσεις

Της Γιωτας Συκκα

Χόρτασαν από υποσχέσεις και είπαν να διαμαρτυρηθούν για το πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζουν χρόνια τώρα με το μουσείο της περιοχής τους. Το σωματείο «Οι Φίλοι του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Σπάρτης» - «Παναγιώτη Σταματάκη», έφτασαν με επιστολές τους ώς τον πρωθυπουργό και τον υπουργό Πολιτισμού, προκειμένου να δοθεί ένα τέλος με τα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία της περιοχής τους. Εξηγούν ότι το δικό τους μουσείο έμεινε κλειστό όλο το καλοκαίρι εξαιτίας των σοβαρών προβλημάτων που αντιμετωπίζει με την ηλικία του (χτίστηκε το 1875), όσο για την ανέγερση του καινούργιου, του νέου Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Σπάρτης στο οικόπεδο του παλιού βιομηχανοστασίου ΧΥΜΟΦΙΞ, έμεινε στα χαρτιά.

Ολόκληρο ντοσιέ έστειλαν οι υπεύθυνοι του μουσείου αλλά και οι τοπικοί φορείς στις αθηναϊκές εφημερίδες, περιγράφοντας την απαξίωση της μνημειακής κληρονομιάς του τόπου τους από την πολιτεία, παρότι έχουν γίνει κατά καιρούς πολιτικές δεσμεύσεις. Κατηγορούν τους υπευθύνους για απραξία, τονίζοντας πως δεν τους απαντήθηκε τίποτε απ’ όσα ζήτησαν. Οπως: ενημέρωση για την πορεία και το περιεχόμενο της προμελέτης για την ανακαίνιση και τον εκσυγχρονισμό του κτιρίου του παλιού Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Σπάρτης. Δέσμευση για το χρονοδιάγραμμα εκπόνησης των μελετών και για την εκτέλεση των εργασιών, οικονομική ενίσχυση της Εφορείας Προϊστορικών και Κλασικών Αρχαιοτήτων, καθώς και στελέχωσή της με το απαιτούμενο επιστημονικό και εργατοτεχνικό προσωπικό. Επίσης, πρόβλεψη για τη λειτουργία προσωρινής έκθεσης σε δημόσιο ή μισθωμένο κτίριο, για όσο χρόνο μείνει κλειστό το παλιό μουσείο λόγω εργασιών.

«Σε απάντηση όλων αυτών, το ΥΠΠΟ θεωρεί ότι εκπληρώνει τις υποχρεώσεις του έναντι της Σπάρτης προσπαθώντας με βιαστικά «μπογιατίσματα» να κρύψει τις επιθανάτιες ρωγμές στους τοίχους του παλαιού μουσείου;»

Στην επιστολή τους προς τον πρωθυπουργό Κ. Καραμανλή κάνουν έκκληση για προσωπική παρέμβαση «ώστε η προ διετίας πρωτοβουλία επαφής με το ίδρυμα Νιάρχου να απεμπλακεί από την αδιαφορία ή τη γραφειοκρατική αγκύλωση των «διαδρόμων» του ΥΠΠΟ.

Είναι φανερό πως τα όρια της υπομονής τους εξαντλήθηκαν. Αλλωστε, οι Σπαρτιάτες φαίνεται να χόρτασαν από παρακλήσεις. Σημειώνεται πως το υπάρχον Aρχαιολογικό Mουσείο είναι το πρώτο επαρχιακό μουσείο της Eλλάδας που σχεδιάστηκε και κτίσθηκε εξαρχής για το σκοπό αυτό, σε θέση που προβλεπόταν από το Pυμοτομικό σχέδιο του Στάουφερτ για τη νέα πόλη της Σπάρτης. Aρχισε να χτίζεται με σχέδια του αρχιτέκτονα Γ. Kατσαρού το 1875 και ολοκληρώθηκε δύο χρόνια μετά.

Aρχικά δέχθηκε την αρχαιολογική συλλογή των 288 αρχαίων αντικειμένων που είχε συγκεντρώσει από το 1872 ο έφορος αρχαιοτήτων Παναγιώτης Σταματάκης.

THIS.... IS.... SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there a massive pit of doom there?

Gorgeous city, I would love to see some ancient ruins.

Most ruins in the area are from the byzantine and the medieval period, like the fortified castle town of Mystras on the hill above the ancient city. During those violent times the majority of the people had found refuge there. The ancient Sparta has many relics and archaeological sites but not as much as the rest of the Greek cities. Sparta is world famous, but not for the works of art made there after all....:)

socrates#1fan, the movie 300 depiction of the pit is false. The ancient Spartans threw the Persian messengers down a small well when they asked for earth in water prior to the FIRST Persian War, that is 490 BC, prior to the battle of Marathon, the one in which the Spartans did not participate as they were taken part in yet another religious festival. In regards to the archaeological ruins of the city, Sparta never had the same building program as Athens, but in military power no one was its equal.

There is a well-known passage in Thucydides (460 BC–395 BC) which runs like this:

"Suppose the city of Sparta to be deserted, and nothing left but the temples and the ground-plan, distant ages would be very unwilling to believe that the power of the Lacedaemonians (Spartans) was at all equal to their fame.

In regards to the article about the Archaeological Museum of Sparta it's too bad the existing building has not been refurbished to properly display all the museum artifacts. Apparently the government of Greece has bought an old factory on the outskirts of the city to become the new museum but is poorly located and has no aesthetic appeal what so ever. The government should simply buy up some property next to the beautiful neoclassical museum and restore the entire structure and add a new wing. Sparta has a huge history, more can been done to increase tourism but once again the government has dropped the ball in doing anything remotely positive.

Sparta Museum between 1874 and 1876
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1384/spartamuseum2hg6.jpg

Hoplites
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2513/sparta3.jpg

Hoplite
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1779/sparta1.jpg

Evolution of the Corinthian Helmet
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/340/sparta2.jpg

Thanks for the pics! I learnt about Sparta but I had no idea how it looks like nowadays:) Nice and very beautiful situated town!

Interesting thread, and very nice photos too :)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg256/patsystone_photo/sparti1890.jpg?t=1247953813

Sparta -- Year 1890

^^ Amazing old photo of Sparta :)

yeah it's always good to see how a place once was and how it has developed.

The above photo @Thalassa, should be before 50s, right ?

The above photo @Thalassa, should be before 50s, right ?

Christos, I have no way to verify that this photo is 1890 other than what I was told. Do you think this photo is before 1850s? Please let me know and I will edit my post ASAP. Thank you! :) :)

Christos, I have no way to verify that this photo is 1890 other than what I was told. Do you think this photo is before 1850s? Please let me know and I will edit my post ASAP. Thank you! :) :)
Maybe yes, maybe not; because of those buildings, behind the big white neoclassical building, looking as they have concrete columns... (?)

I have pasted together various information about the date of Sparta's city hall and the modern town's architecture from a variety of websites.

from http://www.inlaconia.gr/travel/name/sparti/l/gb/

"In the central square of the city you see the neoclassical buildings of the Old Court of Law and the Town Hall. Another neoclassical building, dating back to 1875, is the Archeological Museum."

from http://www.windmillstravel.com/destination.php?type=city&id=78

"Welcome to the capital of the prefecture of Laconia, Sparti (Sparta). Located 225 km from Athens, it is built in the heart of a fertile plain near Evrotas river, on the same site as ancient Sparta had stood. The city forms a modern, well designed urban centre. Sparta, one of the most beautiful cities in Peloponnese, is built near the river Evrotas, with the mountain Parnon from one side and mountain Taygetos on the other. It was built originally on the pattern of a blueprint designed by Bavarians in 1834."

One of Sparti’s most important attraction center is its museum. It was established in 1874, in a building designed by the Greek architect Katsaros. In 1930 two rooms were added to the initial building. The new design is attributed to the Danish architect Christian Hansen. It is a two-floored neoclassical building with pediments and capitals of the Corinthian order at its corners. It is located in the central square of Sparta. It was built in 1906 as the Town-hall. It has all the elements of a true architectural monument. In 1995 the interior was rearranged. Today there is a public assembly place on the ground floor, and the first floor functions as the town-hall."

from http://www.laconia.org/Sparti_introduction.htm

"In 1834 by order of King Othon, today's city was built on the ruins of ancient Sparta using the plans of Bavarian Urban planner STAUFFERT."

Translated from german website on the urban planner Friedrich Stauffert.

The founding story of the new city Athens in the 19th Century has been the subject of renewed interest of Friedrich Staufferts. From 1833-1843, he was called "City architect", what is true in terms of its function. Since 1835 he held the position of 'City Architect' in Athens for a total of eight years. In 1834 Stauffert executed an energetic urban plan for the new town of Sparta.

Back to Vienna after his dismissal from Athenian service as the city’s architect in 1843 Friedrich Stauffert published a report on the conditions of Athens and other Greek towns. The material for this report he had collected during his years of architectural work in Greece offers an interisting review of regional development, economic situation and public works done in a liberated Greece. After all he prepared the first accurate inventory of new city Athens of 1836, a document of quality and practical benefits. In addition he came to the planning and execution two important municipal buildings of Athens, civil hospital and the first primary school of Athens. When Stauffert came to Vienna in 1843 he became editor of the prestigious journal "General construction newspaper" for several years. In the next year 1844 he published "The complex of Athens and the current state of architecture in Greece" in this journal in five impact his report on, later followed by other articles about Greece. Staufferts died in 1860. Friedrich Stauffert's report is the first and unique attempt of a perspective of urban development in the new Greece. The uniqueness of the text is that no other specific report on building in new Greece in the course of the 19th Century ever has been published.

PS Thalassa & Christos-Greece I also saw the photo above posted online that gave the date 1890.

Yes the museum isn't the best around in Sparta. but they are talking about building a new one in a different location. Did you check out the Olive Musuem http://www.oliveoilmuseums.gr/ecportal.asp?id=55&nt=18&lang=2 ?

H Sparth einai omorfi poli

I like Esparta, very beautiful fotos, its mountains are increible

Greetings from México

More photos of my favorite town in all of Greece, no need to guess it's Sparta! Taken this summer, July 2011

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5300/s11em.jpg

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/746/s12x.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3868/13755396.jpg

new bronze statue of hoplite
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/8183/94314449.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6924/40239708.jpg

bronze Leonidas from the 1960s
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1904/61092184.jpg

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/496/85076169.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8794/17860820.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1332/14392683.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5536/94560300.jpg

:applause: :cheers:

Η τελευταια φωτο με αρεσει πολυ, φαινεται λες και βλεπεις την πόλη 2500 χρονια πριν. Απορω τοτε με την ταινια 300 γιατι δεν εκαναν την παγκοσμια πρεμμιερα στην Σπαρτη θα ηταν πολυ συμβολικο και ωραιο.

Ωραία πόλη η Σπάρτη αλλά το τοπίο είναι πραγματικά το κάτι άλλο! :drool:

Πραγματικά ωραίες φωτογραφίες από την Σπάρτη. :)

Sparta Panorama, These are 3 photos I stitched together using photoshop,

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3851/panoramaspartasmall.jpg