Fans of Laconia visiting the bustling, agricultural city of Sparta don’t have much to explore which physically attests to its glorious past except the Archaeological Museum, the Tomb of Leonidas and also his stat- ue where, today, Spartathlon ath- letes tend to collapse after running what equates to six consecutive marathons. The durability of ancient Sparta, once Greece’s dominant, Doric-indoctrinated land-power, continues to be reflected in the wild and rugged landscapes that surround it. Above it towers the Tay- getus mountain range, which draws adventurers who hike, climb and paraglide among its cornucopia of flora and fauna. Like Sparta, Inner Mani, much of which was barely ac- cessible by land until recent years, is also known for its resilient people, particularly the Klephts, mountain bandits who put up a powerful fight against the Ottomans. Today the region is admired especially for its castle-like architecture and crumbling Byzantine churches, with dramatic backdrops of the sea or stark rocky landscapes. It is also popular because of its medieval gems – the elegant and atmospheric fortress town of Monemvasia and the abandoned city of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.