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Hotels in Messinia (Kalamata)

Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece,

Messinia located at the southwestern part of Peloponnese region.
It borders with Laconia in the east, Arcadia and Elia in the north as well as the Ionian Sea and the Messiniakos gulf.

Capital and chief port of the prefecture is the much sung Kalamata, one of the nicests towns in Greece, the land of the Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief.
Kalamata town is dominated by the 13th century castle above it built by Geoffrey de Villehardouin.
On the north side of Kalamata there is a small Byzantine church, dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of the good eye), from which the town may have acquired its name.

From the castle you can survey the expanse of sea below with its sandy and pebbly shores or turn your gaze upon the deep green plain, the “happy land” of the ancients.

The old city of Kalamata is spread out underneath the castle. This is where the Byzantine church of the Virgin Ypapanti and the convent of the Kalograies, where the nuns weave the famous Kalamata silk, are situated.

There are many churches in town, the oldest being the historic church of Aghii Apostoli (13th c.), where the Greek Revolution against the Turks was formally declared on March 23, 1821. Kalamata has an archaeological and folklore museum, a fine arts museum and a library containing 60.000 volumes.

Every summer cultural events like concerts and plays put on by the Kalamata theater are held in the amphitheatre of the castle. In the evening, the town comes alive, especially along the waterfront which is lined with tavernas, seafood restaurants and rotisseries serving local dishes and drinks, fresh fish, roast suckling pig and chicken, sausages, cheese, olives, retsina and raki.

From neighboring Eleia you can already feel the charm of that most cheerful and bountiful of places, Messinia. Long, cool summers, the sweetest of springs, gentle autumns, and mild winters, many springs and abundant water, fertile soil, verdant mountains.
The first stop is Kiparissia. The town sits as if wedged into the base of its fortress, its lower districts reaching as far as the sandy shore lapped by the Ionian sea. Round about the castle is a plain planted with olive trees and grapevines. The sea opens into an infinite expanse of azure. They say that the view of the sunset from the castle is one of the most splendid in the world.
Everything here is imbued with history and a fascinating light. Everywhere you look see ancient, Byzantine and Frankish monuments. Peristera is a place a little beyond the village of Raches (5 km. from Kiparissia), where three beehive tombs have been excavated.

Filiatra is not far off. The whole district is dotted with churches, Byzantine and Frankish, of a venerable age.

Gargaliani sits on a lush hillside. It is worth going up to the town to see the view below, a magical carpet of olive trees and vines that stretches to the sea with Marathoupoli and the islet of Proti, the site of a ruined Mycenaean acropolis, in the background.

Pilos is a pretty little town built up a hill on the south coast of the bay of Navarino. Snow-white two-story houses with courtyards drenched in flowers.
The arcaded streets make you think you’ve been transported to an island.
The main square ringed with pastry shops is sheltered by humongous, centuries-old plane trees.

The Turko-Venetian fortress, known as Neokastro, dominates the west side of town. One of the most attractive in the Peloponnese, it is called that to distinguish it from the ancient fortress to the southwest, named Paliokastro or Palionavarino. The bay of Voldokilia extends from the base of the old castle. A tranquil, carefree sanctuary, the floor of the bay is covered with a thick layer of sand.

In the southernmost tip of the west coast of the Peloponnese lies Methoni.
In the town are some enormous Venetian wells whose marble rims are furrowed by the pressure of huge ropes over the centuries. You enter the castle by crossing a massive bridge, impressed by the gigantic walls, imposing bastions and monumental gates.

To the south another bridge unites the citadel with the Bourtzi, a fortified islet with casemates and towers. But there’s much more to see in Messinia.

Finikounda is a picturesque fishing village at the back of a bay.
Caiques and fishing boats are drawn up all along its sandy shore, while its tavern as serve their fresh catch to little tables at the water’s edge.

The road winds like a vast serpent slowly amidst lush fields to arrive at Koroni.
Its medieval atmosphere is imprinted in its old mansions, its churches and its castle. Still, diaphanous water, sandy beaches and opposite the little island of Venetiko with its enchanting beach. From its hilltop site the Venetian citadel crowns the town. A proper eagle’s nest, with thick walls and massive gates, it cuts a powerful and magnificent figure. Below the fortress in a little palm grove is a small building housing Koroni’s collection of historical and archaeological artifacts. The beauty of the area, unchecked, unbroken, is a constant surprise.

Petalidi juts out from the head of a little bay. The sandy or pebbly beaches round about are shallow and sheltered from the wind. And surrounded by banana trees. What would you remember first about this place? Here, there, everywhere are souvenirs and expensive gifts.

Cutting through central Messinia you meet villages – mini natural paradises harboring ruins of prehistoric settlements, ancient temples, medieval castles and Byzantine churches. And every so often friendly cafes for a cup of coffee and a “kalimera” (good morning).

Messinian Mani
Opposite Kalamata lies Almiro (Extension of Kalamat town and the beach), above it Mt. Taigetos, the “masculine mountain” and next to it the sea, the Gulf of Messinia. Almiro is a small settlement by the sea with a clean pebbly beach and translucent waters. This is where the Messinian Mani begins. It’s like entering another country. The landscape is precipitous, plunging headlong towards the sea. Wooded slopes and rugged peaks. Brooks and torrents. Deep gorges and high ridges. Only by the sea is it peaceful.

Mikri and Megali Mantineia, Avia, Ano and Kato Verga Akrogiali, Kitries are some of the villages. Sand and pebbles and little coves but also pine and fir woods and crystalline springs, solitary chapels and caves once the dwelling place of nymphs and lined with stalagmites. Hamlets hidden in the mountainsides and hamlets on the water’s edge. Stone houses. Sitting rooms with fireplaces. Flower-filled courtyards. Cobbled lanes. Byzantine churches and castles.
Smudged frescoes and tall towers.
Painted archangels and slits in the walls for shooting.

As you penetrate further into this astonishing land, you want to get to the heart of it, to have fun with it, to fight for its sake. You breathe the perfumed breeze that wafts down from Taigetos or you forget yourself swimming alone in a delightful cove. Then more towers and churches (Kardamili) and more wild gorges (Diros) and after a while Mani towers yet again and charming fishing villages and another irresistible cove (Stoupa). On to shiny rocks and fabulous caves (Katafighi), more churches and belltowers (Thalames – Platsa) as you keep walking, a bit bewildered by so much to contemplate but proud, and happy to be alive in such surroundings.