Sights of Kalamata - what to see. A complete guide to iconic places. What is worth seeing in Kalamata? For history buffs

The Greek city of Kalamata, located in the south of the Peloponnese, is the capital of the Messinia nome, famous for its fertile lands since ancient times. Today, as many years ago, olive trees grow everywhere here, from which the best olives in Greece ripen. There is even a variety of dark olives called Kalamata. Naturally, from the best olives they get the best, the excellent consumer qualities of which are valued not only in Hellas itself, but throughout the world. If a jar of olive oil says “Kalamata, Greece”, then you have a product of the highest quality in your hands.

Like most Greek cities, Kalamata has a rich history: during its existence, it managed to be in the hands of the Spartans, Franks, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks. And only at the beginning of the 19th century, Kalamata was one of the first cities to become part of the new state - independent Greece.

Despite the fact that Kalamata is relatively small - less than 60 thousand inhabitants - it has its own international airport, which has recently experienced an upswing due to the development of tourism in the Peloponnese.

Climate and weather

The climate in Kalamata is typical of the Mediterranean - mild, wet winters and warm, sometimes even hot, summers. Winter weather is quite rainy, the air temperature during this period ranges from +5 to +12C.

In summer the air temperature reaches +30 +35C, but the heat is not felt due to fresh sea breezes

In summer, the resort is warm and dry, precipitation is extremely rare, the air temperature reaches +30, and sometimes +35C, but the heat is not felt thanks to fresh sea breezes.

The water temperature in the sea during the swimming season, which lasts here from June to October, reaches +25C, especially seasoned swimmers open the season in May, as soon as the sea warms up to +18-20C.

How to get there

Kalamata has its own airport, located 7 kilometers from the city; it accepts both domestic and international flights, including from Moscow. To buy cheap air tickets to Kalamata, it makes sense to use metasearch engines, such as Aviasales, which track changes in air ticket prices simultaneously both in the databases of the airlines themselves and among specialized booking systems.

Kalamata is connected to Athens, located 250 kilometers away, by road; to get there, you can use public transport or rent a car - the journey will take about three hours. Buses to Kalamata depart from Terminal A in the Greek capital several times a day. More details about flight schedules and how to get to the bus station in Athens can be found in the article.

The city has its own airport

About three hours away is the largest city of the Peloponnese, from where you can also reach it by road.

Hotels

Since Kalamata is not considered a popular resort in Greece, the choice of hotels in the city itself is small. However, there are a number of decent three and four star hotels to stay in while exploring the surrounding area. Check out their list, photos and guest reviews.

Attractions

Sightseeing usually starts from the hill, where you can see the remains of a fortress from the times of the Crusaders, as well as dilapidated buildings of the old city of Kalamata. There is a summer theater on the territory of the fortress, which hosts all kinds of concerts and theatrical performances. The small number of surviving structures is fully compensated by the magnificent views of Kalamata that open from the hill.

The Church of the Holy Apostles is especially popular among tourists.

Going down the hill, you will find yourself in Kalamata's central city square, Ipapandi, with its large Cathedral, built in 1873, adorning it. On the site of the cathedral there was once a church, from which only the icon of the Virgin Mary Ipapandi, found on the ruins of the temple, remains.

The Church of the Holy Apostles, located in the old part of Kalamata, is especially loved by both local residents and tourists. In general, there are about fifty churches and monasteries in Kalamata - both ancient and modern.

Another attraction of Kalamata is the Kalogreon convent, famous for its silk products handmade by nuns: shawls, scarves, ties. One of the premises of the monastery is given over to the museum of silk weaving, which displays the skillful works of the monastery craftswomen.

Among the exhibits of the railway museum there are antique trains

In addition to monasteries and temples, tourists enjoy visiting the Archaeological Museum, located in a historical building - the former mansion of the Benaki family. Many archaeological finds obtained both in Kalamata itself and in Greece as a whole are exhibited here. Art lovers try to look into the city art gallery of Kalamata, where works by Greek artists are exhibited. Another very interesting museum is the Museum of Railway Transport, in the park of which you can see both old trains and more modern cars that have already served their purpose.

Excursions

The excursion program offered to tourists who are bored with beach holidays is quite extensive. Those who want to touch history can go to the birthplace of the Olympics, here you can see the place where the very first Olympic Games took place, the largest temple of the Peloponnese - the Temple of Zeus, the ancient temple of Aphrodite and other equally interesting sights.

About an hour's drive from Kalamata lies Pylos, one of the most notable ports in this part of the country. In Pylos, it is worth visiting the ancient fortress of Neokastro, built in 1573 by the Turks, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with its amazing white domes, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Mystras amazingly combines the severity of a medieval fortress and the elegance of temples

Another popular excursion route is Sparta-Mystras. Despite the fact that modern Sparta cannot please you with a large number of attractions, there is something to see here - just look at the rock from which weak children were thrown, helping nature with natural selection. Five kilometers from Sparta is Mystras, a ghost town that surprisingly combines the severity of a medieval fortress and the elegance of temples. Grekoblog paid attention to these and other attractions of the Peloponnese in more detail in the article.

Beaches

The beaches in Kalamata are sandy and pebble: the beach area itself is sandy, and a strip of pebbles begins near the water, which, however, ends after a couple of meters. The sea is very clean, the beaches are well-groomed - this is ensured by the owners of numerous cafes, restaurants, taverns located on the embankment.

The beaches in Kalamata are sandy and pebble: the beach area itself is sandy, and a strip of pebbles begins near the water

They also provide sun loungers for visitors - just buy a drink in a nearby cafe and the sun lounger is at your disposal for the whole day. The more pragmatic ones rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and the price fluctuates depending on the popularity of the place and the season.

Almost all beaches have sports grounds - for beach volleyball or mini-football, as well as ubiquitous souvenir shops and shops.

A small Greek town with a rich history, located just 250 km from Athens. Like most Greek cities, Kalamata has a Mediterranean climate. In summer this is an excellent beach resort, the sun is hot and there is almost no rain. Winters are quite mild, so even in the cold season the resort is ready to receive tourists; the main entertainment for them will be visiting historical places and attractions.

The ancient fortress, the construction of which is associated with its economic rise and development, has become a kind of calling card of the city. The local culture could not but be affected by the rich history of the city. In 1715 it was conquered by the Turkish aggressors, the rule of the Turks lasted more than a hundred years. Some buildings and areas still remind of those difficult times. In 1821, Kalamata was liberated, and at the beginning of the 19th century, construction of a port began, which became the key to further prosperity and success. Today this port is the second largest among the ports of the Peloponnese.

Returning to the cultural and historical heritage, it is worth noting the beautiful Church of the Holy Apostles, which was built in the fifth century. Very nearby is the railway park, the largest park in the city. You can get acquainted with collections of historical artifacts found during excavations at the Benaki Museum. The Municipal Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Greek Art will present to your attention collections of works by local painters and sculptors. Copyright www.site

The International Dance Festival is considered one of the main holidays of the city. Several world-famous dance schools have been opened in Kalamata, whose students take part in competitions every year, and tourists can only enjoy the enchanting spectacle and admire the graceful competitors.

The most interesting historical landmark is the Kalogreon convent; its nuns have been producing luxurious silk products for several hundred years. The monastery has always been famous for its luxurious scarves and shawls, and they also sew beautiful ties. And now everyone can buy magnificent textile products there. Recently, a small museum was opened on the territory of the monastery, where visitors can see the best creations of local craftswomen.

One of the most visited cultural centers of the city is the Archaeological Museum. It was opened in a restored mansion that previously belonged to the noble Benaki family. Now this museum displays not only exhibits found in the vicinity of Kalamata, but also archaeological artifacts brought from other areas of Greece. A significant part of the exhibits is dedicated to ancient Greek culture and art. Some of the most valuable exhibits are tombstone reliefs and sculptures that were created more than one and a half thousand years ago.

Thrifty travelers will be able to visit the Railway Museum, which is located in one of the main city parks, completely free of charge. Here, in the open air, old steam locomotives and carriages, as well as other mechanical accessories directly related to the railway, are installed. You can take a lot of spectacular photographs in this museum; it is especially popular among vacationers with children.

One of the busiest places in the city is the central square - Plaza de España. Near it there are many interesting historical buildings, including the beautiful Cathedral, which was built back in 1873. The history of the construction of this cathedral is very interesting; it was decided to build it on the site of an old church, which at the end of the 19th century was completely in ruins. During construction work, a most valuable relic was found among the ruins - the icon of the Virgin Mary of Ipapandi, which is still the main artifact of the cathedral.

Kalamata is a small port city of Greece, located in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, and is also the capital of the fertile region of Messenia. It is in this region that the best Greek olives are grown, from which they later produce excellent olive oil, popular all over the world. Therefore, if the packaging says “Kalamata, Greece”, rest assured, this is a product of the highest quality. The city is located 255 kilometers from Athens, and 715 kilometers from Thessaloniki. Despite its small size, Kalamata has its own international airport, serving flights from more than 11 airlines to a wide variety of destinations. The small, sunny Greek city is ideal for a calm and relaxing holiday by the sea, surrounded by olive groves and picturesque landscapes.

A selection of profitable air tickets through Aviadiscounter (searches like Aviasales + a selection of airline promotions and sales).

And to select intercity transport (planes, trains, buses) in Europe, try, the service offers the best ways to travel along popular routes.

Or make your own route.

Like most Greek cities, Kalamata has an ancient and rich history. Since its founding, it has been under the rule of both the Spartans and the Franks, and was captured by the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish empires. Only at the beginning of the 19th century, Kalamata was among the first to become part of the new independent state - Greece. Today, the city with a population of about 60,000 inhabitants is the main financial center of the entire Peloponnese. The region's economy is based on agriculture: vegetables, figs, olives, grapes are grown here, from which, among other things, raisins are produced.

• Area: 43 km²;
• Time zone: UTC+2, summer UTC+3;
• Population: 54,100.

Features of climate and nature

The region is dominated by a Mediterranean climate with its characteristic weather: hot, dry summers with air temperatures of +35⁰C...+38⁰C, followed by mild winters with heavy rainfall, the thermometer drops to +5⁰C...+15⁰C. The tourist season opens in May and lasts until the end of October, but seasoned tourists and swimmers can also be found in winter.

The region is dominated by sandy beaches, with a small pebble strip at the entrance to the sea. As in most European cities, the beaches here are municipal, so the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas is for an additional fee, but you can bring your own towel and sunbathe to your heart’s content in any place you like. The coast has all the necessary infrastructure: changing cabins, showers, toilets, places for playing ball. Also, there are many cafes, restaurants and bars. There are rentals of jet skis, catamarans, kayaks, surfboards and sky surfing. Local residents prefer Almiros beach, which, unlike the city beach, has a gentler entrance to the sea, however, due to the underwater current, the water in this place is cooler.

What to see

The main attractions of Kalamata are religious. On the territory of the city there are more than 50 churches and monasteries, both ancient and modern buildings. The Church of the Holy Apostles is considered the symbol of the city. However, the most beautiful temple is the large Cathedral, 1873, located in the central city square of Ipapandi. The church houses an ancient icon of the Mother of God of Ipapandi, found in the ruins of an ancient religious monastery that stood on this site in the 18th century.

The Kalogreon Nunnery is famous for its wonderful silk products handmade by the nuns. One room of the monastery is completely dedicated to the museum of silk weaving, with an exhibition of the skillful works of the monastery craftswomen: the finest shawls, scarves and ties.

Another, no less attractive tourist attraction, located on a hill, is a medieval fortress from the times of the Crusaders, erected by Baron Villehardouin. Not many buildings have survived in the fortress itself, but it offers stunning views of the city and its surroundings. There is also a small summer theater where city concerts and festive events are held.

In addition, the city has the Benakion Archaeological Museum, which exhibits a collection of sculptures, funerary reliefs, and other objects discovered by archaeologists in the vicinity of the city. Also on display are vibrant Roman mosaics from Desilla and many other finds from across Greece. Nearby are the buildings of the Historical and Ethnographic Museums. Art lovers should visit the city art gallery and appreciate the works of outstanding artists of the country presented here.

One of the most interesting museums in Kalamata is the Railway Museum, in the park of which you can not only admire ancient steam locomotives, carriages and various mechanical accessories, but also touch everything, climb everywhere and take a lot of interesting photos. The museum is very popular among the youngest guests of the city.

By Russian standards, the city is small, 57 thousand inhabitants, and in Greece it is the administrative center of the Messinia region. But, perhaps, this is its charm: it is not a noisy, bustling metropolis like Athens, and not a mountainous, forgotten village. In a word, the golden mean.

Like all of Greece, Kalamata has a rich history. In ancient times, the city changed hands several times: it was conquered by the Spartans, from the Spartans to the Franks, then to the Byzantines, Venetians, and later to the Turks. On March 23, 1821, the city was occupied by fighters for independence from the Turkish yoke, and the uprising spread throughout the country. Since that time, this date has been considered the beginning of the liberation movement and a national holiday in Greece.

There is nothing left of the ancient Greek architectural monuments in Kalamata itself, but there is a small nice castle on a hill, built in Byzantine times. About 20 kilometers from the city, the ruins of an ancient settlement remain – Messini Archea : steps, bases of buildings, agora and ancient stadium. History buffs can also visit Olympia, located an hour's drive from the city.

From Athens before Kalamata easy to reach by motorway. This will take approximately 2.5 hours. Over the past two years, construction has been underway on a section of a modern road from Tripoli to Kalamata , which will significantly reduce travel time. They promised to finish it by the beginning of 2010, but digging anything underground in Greece is always unpredictable: there are only historical values ​​all around. Once again, builders discovered the ruins of an ancient city, suspended work until the value of the find was clarified, and postponed the completion of the highway. Drivers, meanwhile, still use the old serpentine road that leads through the mountain range.

Kalamata has another big advantage over many Greek cities: it has its own long beach located within the city. True, the beach is not completely sandy, but sand and pebbles. But it has been noticed that the Greeks themselves prefer to lie down on pebbles rather than on sand, which may be nearby. To the question: “Why stones?” no one gives a clear answer. Of course, most often they use sun loungers, which are free here. Actually, they are not located on the shore by themselves, they belong to the owners of numerous cafes, but it is enough to order a glass of juice to have the right to occupy a sun lounger for at least the whole day.

You don’t have to visit just one city beach; for variety, you can visit all the nearby ones. Some are located in picturesque coves, rocky or sandy. There are beaches where young people gather, where modern music plays, cocktails are served and romances begin. It is not difficult to find a quiet, cozy place.

I would especially like to say about the sea. From July to October the water is exceptionally clean and warm. The bottom is visible even at a fairly great depth. Sometimes behind the floating ones "hunt" small fish nipping at the legs.

Tourists who come here, first of all, want to enjoy the sea and sun. Most of them are from Germany, Great Britain and Norway. Unfortunately, Russians are little familiar with this region. Although prices here are much lower than on the islands, for example. In addition to a passive stay on the beach, active recreation lovers have the opportunity to ride a yacht, hang glider, sky surf, race a racing car around the track and ride a horse.

What else attracts Kalamata , this is clean air filled with the aromas of flowers and the freshness of the sea. There are no industrial enterprises that pollute the atmosphere. The only smoke occurs in winter, when the olives are harvested and dead wood is burned.

Olives in Greece - This is national pride, a symbol of the country. A Kalamata is a center for their cultivation. The entire economy of the region is based on the production of olives and olive oil. Olive trees grow everywhere here, seemingly from every stone. All mountain slopes are dotted with olive groves.

It is pleasantly surprising that there are about 50 large and small churches in the city. Preserved in the old center Church of the Holy Apostles , built in the 10th century. There are two old monasteries in the vicinity of the city. People actively visit them on religious holidays, making pilgrimages, and not only with the purpose of praying and asking the Lord for help. This is another reason to meet with friends and have a picnic in the fresh air near the holy monastery.

They say that a hundred years ago the local residents were notorious for being bullies, pirates and robbers; port cities have always attracted unattractive personalities. But currently "kalamatianos" They seem to be very friendly and open people. There is practically no crime in the city. You can safely walk along the streets at very late hours. You can even forget things in public places. They will definitely stay in place. I would like this peaceful situation not to deteriorate.

Rent a car in Greece - unique conditions.

For a general idea of ​​the climate in Kalamata, I can say that there are no winters as usual in our understanding in this Greek resort, since the temperature does not drop below zero degrees. Therefore, many of the, one might say, not very large number of hotels in Kalamata are open all year round. But it is clear that in winter, the number of vacationers is relatively small, and even then these are mainly tourists from Northern European countries, whose home countries are much colder. Of course, this is not exactly the kind of vacation that we are used to, but as they say, there is no arguing about tastes and everyone has their own opinion on this matter. But I would like to talk specifically about the beach holiday that most tourists prefer and about the best time to come to this resort so that this holiday brings maximum pleasure and satisfaction.

As you yourself understand, it is quite difficult to determine or name the exact time of the beginning of the summer season, since it depends on the weather, which cannot always be the same, that is, it does not happen from year to year. There is an early spring and summer comes earlier than usual. And autumn can also bring surprises, not only with warm weather, but also with early cold weather, so I will build on those indicators at which we can say with complete confidence that the time is quite suitable for a beach holiday. But you shouldn’t forget that the beginning and end of the season can play a fairly significant role on the cost of vouchers or accommodation. Read completely

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