Agia Sofia church

Agia Sofia is a Byzantine church built with a cross-in-square plan topped by a central dome resting on two columns. The structure features three apses on its eastern end and a western entry area, with remnants of painted plaster visible on various walls.

Manuel Kantakouzenos commissioned this structure in the mid-1300s as part of the Zoodotes Christos monastery complex. It was later repurposed as a chapel within a nearby palace, reflecting how religious buildings adapted to serve the ruling families of the medieval settlement.

The southeast chapel displays frescoes of the Birth of the Theotokos, created by artists who also worked on the Peribleptos church nearby. This connection shows how skilled painters moved between different sacred spaces in the Byzantine community.

The church is open to visitors as part of the Mystras archaeological site and can be explored alongside other medieval structures. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the site involves walking on uneven stone surfaces and climbing stairs within the ruins.

Inside the church are marble sculptures dating to the 1100s that share stylistic features with decorative work found in the Samarina church in Messenia. This connection suggests that skilled artisans distributed their work across multiple regions and maintained a consistent approach to religious decoration.

Location: Sparta Municipality

GPS coordinates: 37.07372,22.36596

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02