Las, was one of the most ancient towns of Lakedaimonia, and stood upon the hill of Passavas, now crowned by the ruins of Passavas, a Frankish fortress of the middle ages. The present castle on the site dates after the 13th century, and was occupied by the Ottomans for a short time when they took over the majority of the Peloponnese. In 1601, a Spanish fleet surprised the Ottoman garrison and sacked the city. It was regarrisoned in 1669 and recaptured again in 1684 by the Venetians and the Maniots. The Venetians carried off the cannons and destroyed the city so it would not be used again. It was abandoned after that and has not been inhabited since.