Sparta Car Rental
Situated on the Evrotas Valley, between the prominent mountains of Taygetus and Parnon, Sparta was one of the most critical city-states from classical antiquity until the Middle Ages. Known as Lacedaemon in ancient times, a name also given to the mythical king of Laconia, Sparta was the main settlement in Evrotas Valley. The kingdom of Sparta, which was established in the ninth century BCE with a strict oligarchic constitution, had two kings who ruled simultaneously and arbitrated disputes for generations. In ancient Greece, Sparta was a military culture that peaked in strength after conquering a rival city-state during the Peloponnesian War. Generally, military service and state loyalty were essential to Spartan society. Spartan boys enrolled in a demanding regimen of socialization, military training, and state-sponsored schooling. The austerity of the military oligarchy that governed the Spartan city-state from the sixth to the second century BC is reflected in the sparseness of ancient ruins surrounding the present city, like the Menelaion, the Cenotaph of Leonidas, and the ruins of Ancient Sparta. Visit the prominent landmarks in Sparta and combine your stay with a reliable and cheap car hire. Imperial Car Rental offers affordable car hire prices in Sparta and a large fleet of well-maintained vehicles to choose from.
Sparta is linked to numerous historical events from the distant past where myth and reality are intertwined. According to Greek mythology, the Achaeans launched the Trojan War against Troy after Paris of Troy seized Helen from her husband, King Menelaus. Menelaus participated in the military expedition against Troy alongside other Peloponnesian city kings, led by his brother Agamemnon, King of Argos. The Greek goddess Aphrodite offered Helen to Paris as, in the eyes of Zeus, Paris had deemed Aphrodite to be the most beautiful of all goddesses. Helen's kidnapping and this verdict have inspired numerous artists worldwide. It is said that this love affair sparked the beginning of the Trojan War.
Car Hire Sparta
Sparta was focused on a martial culture, unlike other city-states, which were a hub for the arts, education, and philosophy. There was just one crucial task destined for male Spartans: being a soldier. Spartan women were known for being self-reliant and having greater liberties and authority than women in other parts of ancient Greece. While Sparta was praised for certain intriguing social and ethical traits that made it stand out in the ancient world and powerful enough to rule the country in the fifth century B.C., the current capital was renowned for its intellectual culture and democratic aspects. Physical prowess, obedience, endurance, and fighting wars were central to the Spartan culture and social structure. Sparta's unwavering commitment to a military oligarchy prevented Classical Greece from ever achieving political union. However, its valiant defense at Thermopylae and its leadership in the Greco-Persian wars in 480 BC played a key role in Sparta’s power. The terrible conflict between the two powers that resulted in Athenian loss at the end of the Peloponnesian War and the rise of Sparta as Greece's most powerful state was initiated by the Battle of Salamis.
Even though the cultural and social structure of Ancient Sparta is gone, the city is blessed with a glorious but turbulent past and numerous archaeological remains and monuments. According to excavations conducted in the early 1990s, Mycenaean Laconia appears to have been centered on the region surrounding the Menelaion in the southern Eurotas valley. Located east of Sparta, beside the river Evrotas, is the Menelaion, a shrine dedicated to Menelaus. The Spartans thought it had once been Menelaus' home, and it was constructed in the early eighth century BC. The Tomb of Leonidas is found in the center of Sparta and features the form of a temple, probably dating back to the late 5th century BC. It was made of massive limestone blocks and was divided into two connecting chambers. You will find most of the remains of ancient Sparta to the north of the modern town. One enters the Acropolis through the south gate to the west of the Rotunda, the Theatre, and the Sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos. While the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia is located to the east, the ruins of the earliest ancient walls, the Heroon and the Altar of Lycurgus, may be found leaving the Acropolis at the north gate. Get ready to dive deeper into Sparta’s history by touring around these prominent archaeological areas. Check out our Sparta car rental deals and book your car hire in Laconia by choosing one of our proposed pick-up and drop-off points. We guarantee flexibility for your car rentals in Sparta and the cheapest prices in Laconia for budget or luxury cars.
Sparta Rental Car
Sparta’s surrounding area is blessed with fertile valleys, olive and fruit groves, and dominating mountains like Taygetus. Modern-day Sparta is characterized by a bustling city center offering the best sightseeing options for history lovers, as well as entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities for those who want to enjoy a fulfilling stay in Sparti. If you’re a nature lover, chances are you won’t be disappointed in Sparta: you can choose to go hiking or mountaineering in Mt Taugetus, climb atop Profitis Ilias peak, swim in the Lepida Waterfall, or engage in adrenaline-based watersport activities. Another prominent site worth visiting near Sparti is the Archaeological Area of Mystras, which is located on Mount Taygetus, above ancient Sparta. Following its destruction by the Visigoths in 396 AD, Sparta experienced a period of decline, particularly throughout the Middle Ages, when a large number of its residents emigrated to Mystras. During the 14th century, Mystras was the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea. It went through a prosperous and cultural era known as the Palaeologan Renaissance. Mystras was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1989 as a superbly preserved example of a Byzantine city and as evidence of the evolution of Late Byzantine and Post-byzantine art. For those who visit Sparta during summer, you will enjoy beach-hopping and staying in popular summer resorts like Gytheio. Gytheio is situated in East Mani, and it is the largest town in Mani. It is also an important seaport connecting the land to Kythira and other destinations. Gytheio was also the principal port in Ancient Sparta, which has evolved to be a lively seaside town in the Laconian Gulf. Enjoy your stay in Gytheio and swim in Afroditi Beach, enjoy watersports in Mavrovouni Beach, and enjoy a traditional dinner in the family-friendly taverna “I Kali Kardia”!