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 organized 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).
