Greece has reopened the Palace of the Despots in Mystras to the public after more than four decades of restoration and conservation work, the Greek Culture Ministry announced.

The Byzantine-era palace complex, located at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras in the Peloponnese, is considered the only surviving Byzantine palace complex in Greece. It dates back mainly to the 14th century and served as the seat of the Despotate of Mystras, a province of the Byzantine Empire.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated the restored site along with Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and other government and local officials. The reopening follows 42 years of restoration and preservation work.

The restoration project has turned the palace into a public exhibition space, with museum galleries, accessibility upgrades and digital features designed to improve the visitor experience. Reports said the work also included protective systems for the historic site.

According to the Greek Culture Ministry, the site is part of a wider programme to protect and upgrade Greece’s UNESCO World Heritage locations. The programme focuses on climate resilience, public accessibility and the use of digital technology in cultural heritage management.

Mystras has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. UNESCO describes the archaeological site as an important late Byzantine centre known for its palace, churches, monasteries and fortified urban layout.

The reopening is expected to strengthen cultural tourism in the region and give visitors wider access to one of Greece’s most significant Byzantine monuments.

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