The castle is on a steep hill that dominates the valley of Evrotas river, 6km west of the modern town of Sparta.It is very possible that the decision of the Francs to build a castle there had to do with the vincinity to the ancient Sparta. For the Francs -far more than for the Byzantines- the possession of a castle was more than just a strategic choice. It was a demonstartion of power and success. Moreover, a castle in Sparta would be the ultimate status symbol. At a European level.