Kato Melpia, perched at the foot of Mount Tetrazio, overlooks the northern part of the Messinian olive grove and the lands of historic Andania. It is an area of unparalleled natural beauty, which inspired Euripides' eloquent description of it in the surviving extract from the lost tragedy 'Cresphontes':
Pidima Arfaron, just 15 kilometers away from the capital of Messinia, is a destination friendly for families and not only, as it is a lush green plain with running water and plenty of space for playing. On the plus side, the route to get there is easy and not a problem at any point.
The Medieval Coastal Fortress of Methoni
The Castle of Methoni was built by the Venetians in 1209 shortly after they had gained control of the Peloponnese from the Franks. The site extends across a rocky promontory of almost a square kilometer in size and was protected by the sea on three sides and separated from the mainland by a huge man-made moat. It includes a small rocky islet known as “Bourtzi” on which was built an octagonal tower connected by a bridge to the rest of the castle (above photo).
Pylos, home to Nestor’s Palace and two naval battles
If you consider yourself an art lover, then you are going to love the Gallery of Modern Greek Art. It’s a gallery that includes works of many different artistic styles, such as Impressionism, Expressionism, the Munich School, Abstraction, the 1930’s Generation. It’s all at your disposal, represented by world-renowned Greek artists. The Gallery was founded in 1962 and it’s housed on the fourth floor of the Kalamata Cultural Center. Thus, its location increases the cultural symbolism for your experience.
Το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Τριφυλίας βρίσκεται στην κωμόπολη Χώρα του Νομού Μεσσηνίας. Ιδρύθηκε το 1969, με σκοπό να υπάρξει ένα κτίριο για να στεγάσει τις ανασκαφές που είχαν αρχίσει να πραγματοποιούνται στην περιοχή με αλματώδεις ρυθμούς. Η σημαντικότερη ανακάλυψη που ήρθε στο φως στην ευρύτερη περιοχή Τριφυλίας και Πύλου είναι το ξακουστό ανάκτορο του Νέστορα, του 13ου αιώνα π.Χ.
Ώρες λειτουργίας: 09:00 με 16:00
If you want to enrich your holidays with unique treasures of antiquity, you have to discover the Archaeological Museum of Messene. It was established in 2000, within the Archeological Site of Ancient Assini, in order to house the findings that were brought to light by various archaeological excavations. It’s located close to the village of Mavrommati, in the area of Ithomi. It may be a small two-storey building, but it contains thousands of important findings that add extra value to your visit.
Το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Καλαμάτας βρίσκεται στη συμβολή των οδών Μπενάκη και Παπάζογλου, σε κτίριο του 19ου αιώνα, το οποίο δώρισε στην Αρχαιολογική Υπηρεσία ο Αντώνιος Μπενάκης, γνωστός και για το μουσείο που ίδρυσε στην Αθήνα με το όνομά του. Πρόκειται για κτίριο λαϊκής αρχιτεκτονικής με κεραμοσκεπή και σοφίτα στη στέγη, και εκτείνεται σε τρεις ορόφους.
Ώρες λειτουργίας: 08:30 - 20:00
If you want to see a small castle with great history, then you have to make a small stop at the Castle of Zarnata and enjoy its greatness. It’s located in the small town of Kampos Avias it’s one of the most important castles in the area. It’s built on a small hill within a fertile valley that adds extra value to its flourishing past.
If you want to discover the importance of Kalamata in history, then you should probably study its striking castle. It’s situated in the historical center of the city, overlooking the vast area beneath it. Unfortunately, an earthquake in 1986 caused some serious damages to its structure and it’s not open for visitors any more. You can, nevertheless, stroll around its perimeter and enjoy the powerful vibes of the location.