pylos
SIGNIFICANT CITIES AND TOWNS
Kalamata
Kalamata, the capital of the Prefecture of Messinia, is also the most significant urban center of the prefecture, and of the whole of the Peloponnese Region. The port and the airport have established Kalamata as a hub, not only for financial and trade activities, but also for the influx of tourists whose final destination is either the city, or the wider area.
Built at the foot of Mount Taygetus, in the heart of the Messinian Bay, where the Homeric Farai used to be ‒ the kingdom founded by Faris from Argos ‒, Kalamata combines rich cultural traditions, natural beauty, and excellent tourist facilities. It is a thoroughly modern city, which leans heavily on its historical past (let's not forget that Kalamata played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence). One of the city's greatest sights is the Byzantine fortress built by the Villehardouins, the Frankish rulers, in the 13th century; the fortress stands as a vigilant guard, overlooking the city from a hill that towers above its historic center. Kalamata also features a great variety of museums, religious monuments (the Byzantine church of Aghii Apostoli is of great historical significance, since it was connected with the Greek Revolution), interesting architecture, with many neoclassical buildings, and good urban planning. Kalamata is also host to the annual International Dance Festival, which has been taking place every summer, for two decades now, at the castle's amphitheater.
Kyparissia, the capital and base of the Municipality of Trifylia, is located at the southwestern part of the Prefecture of Messinia, built amphitheatrically on the slopes of Mount Egaleo. It is a remarkable coastal town, with many beauties and also rich history. Today it is divided into the Old Town (or Ano Poli) and the New Town (or Kato Poli). The Old Town is a preserved traditional settlement, built on a small hill, with the imposing castle of Arcadia towering above it; the New Town, as the name suggests, is the more modern section of the town, which sprawls all the way to the coast.
In antiquity the town was known as "Kyparissientas," a name probably deriving from the hero Kyparissos, son of Minyas and a friend of Apollo, who was worshipped in the area. According to myth, Apollo gave Kyparissos a deer as a gift to keep him company; Kyparissos, however, accidentally killed it with his spear, and that incident caused him great grief. The gods heard his laments, but instead of allowing him to die, as he was beseeching them, they turned him into a cypress tree (kyparissi). Since that moment, cypress trees have abounded in the area, and they came to symbolize mourning and sorrow...
Kyparissientas was part of the kingdom of Nestor, king of Pylos. The first reference to the city is found in Homer, and it is also mentioned by Pausanias, who visited it during his travels. The town was very prosperous in antiquity, as testified by the fact that it had its own coin. In medieval times it was named "Arcadia," probably by the many Arcadians that sought refuge there, pursued by the Slavs. During the same period a castle was built on the site of the ancient acropolis, which, due to its privileged location, roused the interest of all conquerors that passed from the area; as a result, it went through many alterations through the centuries. The castle of Arcadia is still the jewel of the town, offering great view towards the whole area.
In antiquity the town was known as "Kyparissientas," a name probably deriving from the hero Kyparissos, son of Minyas and a friend of Apollo, who was worshipped in the area. According to myth, Apollo gave Kyparissos a deer as a gift to keep him company; Kyparissos, however, accidentally killed it with his spear, and that incident caused him great grief. The gods heard his laments, but instead of allowing him to die, as he was beseeching them, they turned him into a cypress tree (kyparissi). Since that moment, cypress trees have abounded in the area, and they came to symbolize mourning and sorrow...
Kyparissientas was part of the kingdom of Nestor, king of Pylos. The first reference to the city is found in Homer, and it is also mentioned by Pausanias, who visited it during his travels. The town was very prosperous in antiquity, as testified by the fact that it had its own coin. In medieval times it was named "Arcadia," probably by the many Arcadians that sought refuge there, pursued by the Slavs. During the same period a castle was built on the site of the ancient acropolis, which, due to its privileged location, roused the interest of all conquerors that passed from the area; as a result, it went through many alterations through the centuries. The castle of Arcadia is still the jewel of the town, offering great view towards the whole area.
Pylos is located at the southwestern edge of the Peloponnese, on the Ionian Sea. It is a picturesque town, with its beautiful settlement sprawled around the quaint port, and long history that dates to ancient times: it is associated with the Pylos mentioned by Homer, who describes it as the kingdom of Nestor; that Pylos was located nearby. The layout of the newer town was determined by the French mechanics of the general Maison, after the decisive Battle of Navarino (1827).
Niokastro, the castle of Pylos, is one of the town's most significant sights: Built by the Turks in 1573, in later years it went through many alterations by the different conquerors that passed from the area. Today it is one of the best-preserved castles in Greece, and it is an example of excellent fortification technique. There are many more things that make Pylos a very interesting destination: The Museum of Underwater Antiquities, housed in the castle, the house of Olympic champion Kostas Tsiklitiras, the National Observatory's "Nestor" Institute of Astroparticle Physics, housed in the building of the town's Old Gymnasium, responsible for carrying out one of the most significant scientific experiments in the world, and many natural beauties, which complement the area's rich historical past.
Messini, the base of the municipality of the same name, is located south of the Messinian valley, on the right bank of river Pamisus; Homer called this site "Makar Pedion." The location of Messini is not identified with that of ancient Messini; the newer town, which is also known as Nissi, is located approximately 20 km away, and was built around 400 AD, when the ancient town was razed by the Visigoths under Alaric. Messini played a decisive role during the Greek Revolution, being one of the first towns to take action. Today it is a vibrant, constantly developing urban center, which offers all the facilities of a modern town. The beautiful, sandy beach of Bouka attracts many people in the summer months, and the great variety of cultural activities, such as the interesting Carnival customs, and also the big fair ‒ one of the biggest in the Peloponnese ‒ at the end of September, where the icon of the Panaghia is brought down from the monastery of Voulkano, attract a great influx of tourists all year round.
Stoupa ‒ known in the past as Potamos ‒ is one of the most attractive destinations in Messinian Mani, with Mount Taygetus rising imposingly above the picturesque settlement, and with the amazing beaches completing the beautiful picture. The great influx of tourists in the area during the summer called for the development of tourist facilities, in a way that would provide services of the highest quality to people of all backgrounds and tastes. Accommodation, organized beaches, taverns and entertainment spots can all be found here, all following the highest standards. Stoupa is also surrounded by enchanting landscape and exceptional monuments, either natural or manmade, which have ranked it as a top destination. An interesting bit of information: Stoupa was the area that inspired the great writer Nikos Kazantzakis to pen his work "Zorba the Greek," since he had lived there and had grown to love it immensely.
Methoni, identified with the Homeric Pedasus, is located at the southwestern edge of Messinia and is probably better known for its Venetian fortress, one of the most important ones in Greece. The town reached its great prime during the Venetian rule, but it was considered to be a significant area already since ancient times, due to its privileged location, at the crossroads between the West and the East. The current form of the town is attributed to the French mechanics of the general Maison, who planned its layout after the decisive Battle of Navarino in 1827. Methoni is a small but interesting town, with neoclassical houses, and also good tourist facilities, since it tends to be very busy, owing also to its proximity with some areas of exceptional beauty, such as nearby Pylos and the enchanting Navarino Bay, also the Gialova lagoon and the breathtaking beach of Voidokilia.
Another small, historic town famous for its fortress is Koroni. Together with Methoni, they comprised a coveted duo when it came to the trade activities of the Venetians in the area during the 13th century. For that reason, Koroni was also fortified with an imposing castle, which is still a top example of fortification technique. The town is located at the south side of the Messinian bay; it is a very picturesque settlement, with beautiful beaches, such as the famous Finikounda, and also the islets of Schiza and Venetiko visible in the open sea, providing the opportunity for exciting daytrips.
The upcoming celebration of the 200 years since the outbreak of the Greek Revolution of 1821
The study of the sustainable development of the rural
The Center’s main goals are to teach the “art of entrepreneurship