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| Messinia |
| The next big thing |
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| Stoupa beach, south of Kalamata. |
Messinia, at the southwestern end of the Peloponese is one the loveliest corners of Greece and one of the least discovered by travelers, foreign as well as Greek.
The main reason for that is the two access roads to the region, the western coastal road south from Patras and the inland access road from Tripoli: they are narrow, slow, two-lane secondary roads and it usually takes as long to reach Kalamata from Tripoli as it takes to reach Tripoli from Athens, which is thrice the distance. That is a great pity because Messinia is one of the best spots of the country.
It is covered with olive groves and gardens and the villages are some of the most picturesque and well-preserved traditional villages in the country. The eastern shore of the Messinian bay is spectacular, with the western slopes of the Taygetos mountain plunging into the crystal clear waters of the bay, and the medieval castle-towns of Mani dotting its southern end. The western shore of the bay and the Ionian shore of Messinia are mostly lowlands with lovely sandy beaches and wonderful little fishing villages.
Messinia is a quiet, family-oriented destination, that offers spectacular landscapes, affordable prices, and some of the best beaches in Greece. In addition, the region is one of the major olive oil-producing regions of the country and home of the world famous Kalamata olive. It is also a major agricultural region, mainly of produce, due to its year-round extremely mild weather.
The region spent Classical antiquity subjugated by Sparta and its people were enslaved for hundreds of years. Although the Spartans were brutal masters and the best regular army of its time, the Messinians staged frequent revolts, only to be drowned in blood.
During the Peloponesian War between Sparta and Athens, the Athenian navy occupied the island of Sfacteria, which blocks the entrance to the bay of Navarino, and took prisoner the island's garrison of about 300 Spartan regulars. With the help of Messinian citizens, the Athenians held off repeated Spartan attempts to take the island and kick their enemies off the southern Peloponese.
So terrified did the Spartan authorities become that the continued Athenian presence in Messinia, so near their city, would lead to a disastrous and finally successful slave revolt that they sent heralds to Athens to beg for unconditional peace and the end of hostilities between the two cities. Athens refused. Had Athens not been blinded by the potential of striking a fatal blow to its ancient enemy, the rest of classical history might have been different.
Kalamata, the regional capital of Messinia, is the perfecture's and southern Greece's largest port. During the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era the town experienced tremendous growth. It was a sleepy port during the Ottoman occupation and a major revolutionary hub after the 1821 Greek revolution.
Kalamata features numerous monuments, such as the the Agioi Apostoloi Cathedral where Greek patriots first took arms and vowed to die for independence, on March 23 1821, and where the first revolutionary proclamation towards the Western Powers was drafted.
Ancient Messini is located approximately 30 km northwest of Kalamata. The site combines the alpine beauty of ancient Delphi with the lowland river valley landscape, characteristic of ancient Olympia. Ancient Messini was built by the ancient Messinians under the leadership of general Epaminondas in the spring of 369 BC.
Pylos is built on the southern tip of Navarino Bay, combining rustic Peloponese architecture with island charm. The town is the commercial and administrative centre of southwestern Messinia as well as an important archaeological and historical site. Ancient Pylos is located near the Cape Koryfasio region, north of the modern-day town.
Pylos' historic port is one of the finest and safest natural harbours in the eastern Mediterranean. On October 20, 1827 the allied fleets of England, France and Russia destroyed the joint Ottoman-Egyptian fleet, sealed the outcome of the Greek War of Independence and guaranteed Greece's liberation from Ottoman rule. |
| The Highlights |
- The shore along the western end of the Taygetos mountain: Stoupa beach, Kardamyli, and the castle villages of Mani.
- The ancient city of Pylos and the Voidokilia beach.
- The inland villages, both on Taygetos and along the western coastal plains.
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| We Recommend |
- Explore Mani.
- Arrange to watch a show at the internationally acclaimed Kalamata Dance Festival, held every summer at the Kalamata Castle, above the town.
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| Useful Information |
| The country code for Greece is 0030 (from the US and Canada: 01130). |
| Tourist Info Office |
| In Kalamata on Aristomenous and 6 Polyviou Street (27210 21700). |
| Police Station |
| In Kalamata: 27210 22622 and 27210 44600. In Gargalianoi: 27630 22210. In Kardamyli: 27210 73209. In Koroni: 27250 22203. In Kyparissia and Filiatra: 27610 32563. In Meligalas: 27240 22201. In addition, dial 100 for emergencies. |
| Hospital |
| Kalamata has a General Hospital (27210 94500-7) and Pylos has a medical center (27230 22315). |
| Pharmacy |
| There are pharmacies everywhere, except in small villages. Opening hours are 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. Pharmacies open in the off hours are posted on every pharmacy storefront. |
| Port Authority |
| The Port Authority in Kalamata is by the commercial harbor (27210 22218). |
| Foreign Press Outlet |
| Foreign press newstands are not ubiquitous as in other resort areas of the country. There are foreign press agencies in Kalamata, Pylos, and Kardamyli. |
| Internet Cafe |
| There are a number of Internet cafes in Kalamata and also in the resort areas like Pylos, Koroni, and Kardamyli. Many travel agencies offer Internet access from their premises. |
| Bus Depot |
| KTEL Kalamatas, the bus depot, is at 27210 22581 and 27210 23145. |
| Car Rental |
| In Kalamata, Alexander, at 32 Xenofontos Street (27210 90581, dimkazak@otenet.gr, www.alexanderent.gr). In Pylos, Auto Europe, at 6 Kalamatas Street (27230 22393 and 27230 22312). |
| Bank |
| All major Greek banks have one or more full service branches and ATMs in every large town and in most secondary ones. They handle all major transactions, such as money transfers, cash advances on credit cards, and money wires. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday 8am-2pm and Friday 8 am-2.30 pm. Almost all secondary towns have at least one bank branch and at least one ATM. |
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