Messinia map

Capital: Kalamata

Overview:

Famous for the black olives, the Klamatianos dance, the "pastel", the silk scarf and the ripe figs; centre of Medieval civilization in Byzantium and starting point of the Greek revolution of 1821. Kalamata is surrounded on the one side by the Messinia Bay and on the other side by the mountain Kalathi.

Best Messinia Sights:

• the small church of Holy Apostles built in 1150, at the centre of the old market

• Kyparissia, with the ancient Tombs, the remains of the ancient Apollo temple and a Medieval Castle in Corinth

• a Venetian Castle of Pylos - Niokastron

• the Antonopoulion Museum

• Castle of Koroni and Methoni

• the Palace of Nestor in Englianos, a Mycenaean site in modern Chora, and the Archaeological Museum of Chora that exhibits the finds

• Byzantine churches and castles

• smudged frescoes and tall towers (Thalames - Platsa)

• the ruins of an ancient temple thought to have been dedicated to Poseidon Eranalos

• an early Christian church (from the 4^th century)

• a small version of the Eiffel Tower at the entrance of the town

• the Panagia Church and the Castle of Fairy Tales, in Agrili

Places to visit:

• Pylos, an immense, well-sheltered bay, where important battles were held (s. battle of Navarino in 1827)

• Mani, the only Greek place untouched by the Turkish armies

• wild gorges in Diros

• rocks and caves (in Katalighi)

• churches and bell towers

• islets of Proti, Sapientza, Sphaktiria and Venetico

• Neda Valley

• Kyparissia Gulf

Special Events:

Messinia, having a full cultural calendar, invites the visitor to live great moments. Some of these are the celebration in memory of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence on March 23^rd, the Cultural August, the custom "Saitopolemos" on Monday after Easter in Messini and the International Dance Festival in Kalamata.

Don't miss also the potato festival Alagonia in September, the custom of burning Judas at Easter, the festival "Agapinia" in honor of Telos Agras in July, the "Ithomea" and the "Nestoria" in August. The "Navarinia" in memory of the Navarino naval battle in Pylos and the celebration of Ash Monday in Methoni, as well as the Assumption of the Virgin, all held in August are offer unique experiences.

Best Messinia Beaches:

Elafonissos and Gythio beaches, Nerantziona, Boza, Kastania, Plytra, Kyparissi, Glyfada, Kokkala, Kotronas, Kavos, Mavrovouni, Makris Gialos, Limeni, Gerolimenas, Porto Kayo, etc