Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia — Attraction in Municipality of Sparta

Having visited Sparta several times due to my husband's family ties, I was thrilled to finally explore more on our own. This time, we ventured to the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, an incredible archaeological site steeped in history. Despite some negative reviews mentioning gypsy children and a less-than-pristine approach, our experience was notably positive. Yes, there are gypsy communities nearby—they've been part of Sparta's landscape for generations, living near the river and frequently seen in the city selling produce from their distinctive trucks.

The road to the sanctuary does have some litter, a common enough sight in many parts of the world, but don't let this deter you. Once you arrive, the historical aura of the place is palpable. It's easy to be transported back in time, imagining the rigorous training Spartan boys underwent right where you stand. Visiting the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia offers not just a glimpse into ancient Spartan life but also a reminder of the enduring layers of human history that coexist in places like this. A must-visit for anyone interested in the deep roots of...

I had planned on visiting the Menelaion archaeological site and many others to the east of Sparta city. Before visiting these places I asked for further information at the local museum. I was surprised to hear them tell me there were some dodgy people apparently gypsy's nearby who would cause problems and warned me not to go there. I presumed this was only at the location the staff had pointed to on the map which was the Memalaion site. So I decided instead to head towards the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia. Whilst walking down a dirt track just of the main road, from behind a police car drove up with three policemen inside. I explained to them where I was going and asked if there were gypsies there. One of the policeman told if I went there the gypsies would take everything from me ! I thanked them for the warning and decided to return the way I came. Was this a lucky escape ? From what I have been told it is important to have respect for the Greek police, so I must thank them for this important...

TAKE CARE when continuing on the path from the sanctuary towards the river - my girlfriend and I were heading there to find a quiet place to camp for the night when we were beset by a large crowd of children begging for money. We gave what we could and continued, but the children continued to follow us and shout and push closer and closer. We left them behind and realized that perhaps it would be better to find a different place to sleep. But as we turned around to leave, we came across another group, of older children, two of them teenagers. They were breaking sticks and began to yell at us, demanding money. The situation escalated quickly, until the kids were trying to hit us with large sticks, and the other children joined and began to throw stones and try to hit us. We escaped narrowly, and if a few details had been different, perhaps there would have been serious damage. Be...