our city

Kalamata is one of the most gifted cities in Greece, mostly thanks to its geographic position. Situated in the heart of the crystal-blue Messinian Bay and on the roots of the imposing Mountain Taygetos, it is a heaven for its inhabitants. Also, Kalamata is the ideal base for those who want to discover the secrets of Messinia, since it is situated in a central spot of the region and all the tourist and cultural destinations are not further than one hour in car.

Historical Centre

The best starting point for sight-seeing around Kalamata is the city’s historical centre. There you will come across the historic little church of Saint Apostles, where the Greek Revolution against the long Turkish occupation was declared on March 25th 1821. This little church was built in 1317 by Emperor Andronicus and its presence affects magically those who are familiar with its history.

Wandering in the alleys of the historical centre will revive images from the past and reveal buildings that have resisted time.This it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the local products of Messinia, visiting the small shops that buy their merchandise exclusively from local producers.

Do not neglect to visit the Mpenakeio Archeological Museum (Papazoglou 6), a beautiful building of venetian type built in 1742, where many interesting archeological findings are exhibited, including a mosaic from Koroni that represents scenes from the worship of God Bacchus.

The Municipal Library (Papazoglou 5) houses works of art that were donated after the destructive earthquake of Kalamata in 1986. These pieces manifest the sensibility of people who can see ribirth from disaster.

Our next stop in the historical centre is the Historical and Folkloric Museum of Kalamata (Kyriakou and Ag.Ioannou 20), which is housed in a small restored building. There, you will see objects that date back to the Revolution of 1821, as well as information and details about the agricultural and productive life of Messinian inhabitants during the last century.

As you climb higher, you will come across the grandiose temple of the Visitation of the Saviour, the city’s protector, built in the 19th century in a byzantine style. On the steps above the temple you will find the Municipal Conservatoire, where events for the lovers of music are organised almost every weekend.

Further up, on a piny hill that gives an outlook over the sea, you will reach the castle of Kalamata. Built in 1208 by Gulielme Villearduin, it has inspired Aggelos Terzakis’s novel about Princess Izampo who had lived in the area. At the feet of the castle there is the semi-cavernous temple of Saint John that probably exists since post-byzantine years. It is said that the citadel of Ancient Pharai was situated below the castle.

In the women’s monastery of Saints Constantine and Helen, built beside the castle in the 18th century, you will also learn about the still-going byzantine tradition of weaving pure animal silk on “lakkoi” (looms).

The Centre

After the tour around the historical centre, you can descend towards the city’s centre following Aristomenous, the city’s main street with the large square. Everything you might need can be found at the numerous shops in that street and the ones that cross it. The cafeterias are also countless and full of life, with many people enjoying their warm ambiance in the winter or sitting on the chairs at the square during the sunny summer days.

In the middle of Aristomenous you will see the Pantazopouleio Cultural Centre, where there are always exhibitions, speeches or shows taking place.

If you walk until the end of Aristomenous street a pleasant surprise is waiting for you: the railway park. It is the only open museum of this kind, where train engines and train cars of different time periods are placed in harmony in a green landscape. This place is a recreation ground for children and adults.

The Coast

Continue further down and you will reach the port of Kalamata; once it was the centre of Kalamata’s commercial and industrial development, when it used to connect all the Mediterranean centres. From this point you can either head towards the west beach, where numerous sail ships are anchored or turn east and walk along Navarinou street.

Navarinou street, the “coast” for the locals is the citizens’ resort; any time of the day and night you will see groups of people strolling and talking by the sea. In the summer, the coast of Kalamata bustles with life, both during the day when the long coastline fills with bathers and in the night, when young people fill the places of night entertainment.

Leaving Kalamata

If you decide to leave Kalamata in car, you will meet attractive scenery no matter which way you will turn. If you move southeast you will go towards Mani (second leg of the Peloponnese), where the woody coastal places of Messinian Mani pass the baton to the steep, rocky and fascinating coastal landscape of Lakonian Mani. If you head southwest (first leg of the Peloponnese), you will reach Koroni, Methoni and Pylos with their famous attractions. If you cross Kalamata towards the North and head to Sparti, you will enter the magnificent world of Taygetos, the roof of Kalamata. Taygetos is the biggest challenge for lovers of mountain, trekking and climbing. Imposing and full of contradictions, with slopes, canyons, caves, sources, rivers and rich vegetation alternated with steep rocks, it magnetises the bold ones who will dare to explore it.

A few chilometres outside Kalamata, in the Municipality of Ithomi, there is Ancient Messini, an archeological place that was found recently and astonishes visitors with its expanse and its good condition; in fact, it is considered the best preserved archeological place.