Few buildings dating back to the height of Sparta's greatness have been left standing. Still it's worthwhile to wander to the north end of town to see the ruined theatre and the Sanctuary of Athena Halkioitou against the backdrop of the snowcapped Taÿgetos Mountains, as well as the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia on the northern outskirts of Sparta.
To get here, head to the King Leonidas statue that belligerently hefts its sword and shield at the northern end of Paleologou. When the Persians attacked Sparta and told them to lay down their weapons, the Spartans' response, immortalised beneath Leonidas' feet, was 'Molon labe' (Come and get them). West of here, signs point the way to the acropolis.
From the main cobbled road, a footpath runs left (west) through olive groves to the 2nd- or 3rd-century-BC ancient theatre , a few steps and seats of which are still visible along the overgrown half-circle.
The main road leads north to the fenced-off acropolis, passing the Byzantine Church of Christ the Saviour on the way to the 6000 BC Sanctuary of Athena Halkioitou on a small hillock. Some of the most important finds in the town’s archaeological museum were unearthed here.
If you follow the Tripoli-bound road north of town, a signposted path leads downhill to the remains of the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia; this is where Spartan boys were flogged till they bled, the bravest awarded bronze sickles which they dedicated to the goddess.
