MESSINIA PREFECTURE

General information

INTRODUCTION:
The prefecture of Messinia is a magnificent landscape that pulses with natural beauties, attracting visitors from all over the world to spend their vacations. At the same time, the archaeological sites that embellish the superb scenery shall definitely amaze you, rendering your holidays an unforgettable experience.

LOCATION:
The prefecture of Messinia is located at the southwestern part of Peloponnese and it borders with the prefecture of Laconia on the east and the prefectures of Arcadia and Elia on the north.


MORPHOLOGY:
Verdant fertile valleys, infinite sandy coasts and imposing mountains compose the multilateral morphology of the prefecture of Messinia.


SEASONS:
Due to the fact that this prefecture combines the element of sea and the element of the mountain, Messinia is an ideal resort for both your summer and winter vacations.


ATTRACTIONS:
SIGHTS:

The castle, the old city, the monastery of the nuns, the neoclassical buildings, the Karelia tobacco factory, the ruins of the archaic sanctuary of Possidon, the monument of the fighters of 1821, the monastery of Dimiova and the churches at Kalamata.
The relics of the sanctuary of Apollo of Korithos at Agios andreas.
The ruins of the medieval castle, the graves of the Dioscuri, the monastery of Faneromeni, the castle of Zarnata and the female monastery of Panagia Androubevitsa at Kardamyli.
The fortress, the female monastery of Agios Ioannis, the church of Panagia Eleistra and the monastery of Hrissokellaria at Koroni.
The ancient town of Messini Ithomi (like Olympia)
The castle, the war monument, the foprtified islet Bourtzi at Methoni.
The byzantine church of Agios Dimitrios, the municipal mansion and the square with the clock at Messini.
The ancient town of Koroni, the byzantine churches and the ruins of the Venetian castle at Petalidi.
The ancient Pylos, the relics of the Turkish mains, the square with the monument of the three admirals and the church of Panagia Sgrapa at Pylos.
The palace of Nestoras at Hora Trifilias.

MUSEUMS:

The "Benakio" archaeological museum and the cultural museum as well as the library and the municipal picture gallery at Kalamata.
The archaeological museum at Mavromati.
The museum "Antonopoulio" and the "Rene Puaux" collection at Pylos.
The archaeological museum at Hora Trifilias.

NATURE:

The waterfalls Polylimnio at Kazarma
The biotope Sapientza and the cave at Methoni.
The lagoon Divari and the natural landscape Voidokilia at Pylos.


SPORTS / RECREATION:

If you like walking, Messinia is an idyllic place for long walks in the nature.
If you are a fan of mountain hiking, you can visit the peaks Annina, Lipovouni, Marmarokastro, Vassiliki, Neraidovouna, Xerovouna of the mountain Taigetos.

If you have a boat you shall visit the islets Proti, Shiza, Sapientza, Agia Mariani and Venetiko. you can wharf at the port of Kalamata or Pylos.


ENTERTAINMENT:
All over the prefecture of Messinia you shall find several restaurants, taverns, cafeterias and bars for your entertainment.


LOCAL EVENTS:
The celebration og the beggining of the revolution of 1821 on March the 23rd, the cultural events during August, the custom "Saitopolemos" at Easter and the international dance festival during July and August at Kalamata.
The festival of Panagia on August the 15th at Kardamyli and Koroni.
The cultural festivals during summer at Kyparissia.
The cultural events "Ithomea" on August at Mavromati.
The celebration of Shrove Monday at Methoni.
The carnival at several places such as Koroni, agios andreas and Messini town.
The cultural events "Navarinia" on August and the celebration of the anniversary of the sea fight of Navarino on October the 20th at Pylos.


LOCAL PRODUCTS:


At the prefecture of Messinia you can buy oil, olives, wine, figs, raisins, raki, lalagia (fried cookies), mastic and sausages with orange. Addiitonally, at the monastery of Agios Konstantinos and Agia Eleni ta Kalamata you shall find silken fabrics.

 

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