This book tells the fascinating history of the Byzantine Palace of Mistras, erected in the mid-13th century and later expanded to become the seat of the Byzantine governors. From the mid-14th century it was the seat of the Despots of Mistras, and the administrative centre around which commerce and culture flourished during the final phase of the Byzantine Empire. The palace reached its final form with the extensions made at the beginning of the 15th century; it was abandoned in the 18th century and decayed into a three-storey ruin until our times. These ruins, which are described in detail, were investigated, and documented in an extensive photographic archive, leading to a plan for the Palace's restoration according to its original form. The organisation of the restoration work, the techniques employed and the structural details of the building are discussed here in great detail, revealing the Palace in its restored form. English language edition.  More than 900 illustrations, many in colour.