Menelaion

Sparta, Greece

The archaeological site of Menelaion is located approximately 5 km from the modern city of Sparta. The geographical structure of this site includes a hill complex (Northern hill, Menelaion, Profitis Ilias and Aetos).

Menelaion was a Mycenaean acropolis (founded 15th - 12th centuries BC), with a building that was built in three phases and probably had a palatial character. Count of the Achaeans, perhaps identical with the Sparta of the Homeric epic. In a place of perhaps prehistoric worship, on a hill, a sanctuary of Menelaus and Helen, who were worshiped here as gods, was founded in geometric times. Remains of two men with rectangular analemmas, one enclosing the other (6th and 5th centuries BC). Uphill access leads to the foundations of a rectangular temple inside.

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Sparta, Greece
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Details

Founded: 1400 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Quentin Chomis (8 months ago)
A must if you like archeology and the Iliad. Beautiful view on the Taygetus and Sparta plain. You can get up pretty far with the car but might need to leave it at some point. Maybe by the North is more accessible via car.
Bartek Waclawik (14 months ago)
Incredible view of the mountains after short walk. We left the car near the main road but you can easily drive until the church or even further (on your own risk).
Marcus Lodwick (17 months ago)
No details on site so google it beforehand. Squared conglomerate limestone blocks forming a stepped base are all that remains. Great view. Up a steep singletrack paved roadway from north. Walk last 400 m. or continue up dirt track.
Eileen Herrera (2 years ago)
The Menelaion is not far from Sparta, but the road up is very narrow and only partially paved. We ended up parking about a half a mile away, by an old church and walking the rest of the way. It’s a bit steep here and there, but the road is fine and it’s a beautiful walk amidst olive groves. There is nothing at the site to inform the visitor, but the remains of the fortress there are clearly Mycenaean in style. The area provides a gorgeous 300 degree view with no problem, so it probably served as a stronghold, lookout or perhaps a summer retreat since the airs is nice and fresh up here. We watched two hawks in flight while we were there, so if you want to just get out on your own, this is a a lovely place. Plus great photo ops for Sparta from above and afar.
Przemek Sikorski (6 years ago)
Definitely worth to came here. Very nice view from up there. We decided to leave our car 1km from this place and make last 1000m on foot because road was too dangerous for car. I do not know how road looks like from the north side but we arrived by car from the south side and it was almost impossible to get up there.
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