Tourist information - Kalamata
Capital and also the leading port of the prefecture of Messinia, established within the heart of the Messinian Gulf.
The 13th century castle above it was built by Geoffrey Villehardouin which dominates the town. Around the north side of the citadel there is a small Byzantine church dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of good eye), from which the town may have acquired its name.
From the castle you can view the expanse of the sea below having its sandy and also pebbly shores or even turn your gaze upon the deep green plain, the "happy land" of the ancients.
The old city is spread out underneath the castle. This is where the Byzantine church of the Virgin Ypapanti and the convent of the Kalograies created in 18th century, where the nuns weave the popular Kalamata silk, are located.
In 1209 it was proclaimed seat of a barony and held by the Franks up to 1381, when it had been taken over by Navarrese and also later liberated by the Paleologues. Turkish rule followed, except for an interval in between 1685 and also 1715, when it belonged to the Venetians.
There are a number of churches in town, the oldest being the historic church of Agii Apostoli (13th c.) where the Greek War of Independence against the Turks was formally declared on March 23, 1821.
Kalamata has an archaeological museum, which is housed within the Benaki Mansion, along with a folklore museum noteworthy for its numerous relics of the War of Independence of 1821, a fine arts museum brimming with works by Greek artists and also a library containing 60.000 volumes.
Every summer cultural events such as concerts and plays put on by the Kalamata theatre are held around the amphitheatre of the castle. Throughout the evening, the town becomes alive, especially on the water front which is lined with taverns, sea food restaurants along with rotisseries serving local dishes and drinks, fresh fish, roast suckling pig and chicken, sausages, cheese, olives, retsina and also raki.
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