Today's Flickr photo with the most hits shows the Lakonian Gate at the ancient city of Messene, Peloponnese, Greece.
The city is a fabulously preserved site, well worth visiting.
It was founded in the 4th BCE after the Spartans (hitherto the Messenians overlords) were defeated by the Thebans at the battle of Leuctra (371 BCE).
The Messenians proved able to withstand Sparta's attempts to return them to servitude, and the city prospered.