Ipapantis Church
We try and park on the road near the church [which is actually a Cathedral] when we go to Kalamata. It’s in the north of the city, near the old town. The 19th Century church is Byzantine in style and is painted a striking yellow topped with silver domes and is beautiful inside.
The Old Town
The old town has some lovely narrow streets and charming shops and is a pleasant wander. The tiny Church of The Holy Apostles has recently been restored after damage from the 1986 earthquake and is attractive although rather plain inside. Several museums are dotted around which are worth seeking out as well as the Castle and the Food Market, [See below].
Museums
The Archelogical Museum of Messinia
This modern museum in the centre of the Old Town has a fine range of exhibits from the local area and is well laid out and air conditioned!
The History and Folklore Museum
The History and Folklore Museum is a great little independently run museum in a triangular building on the edge of the old town. The displays of costumes and artifacts are on two floors and are well presented with information in Greek and English. We were very well looked after by Emilia who was very passionate about the exhibits. Highly recommended.
No longer free to enter but worth the small entry fee. This museum has exhibits over two floors covering the Greek wars from the revolution in 1821, the two World Wars and up to the Greek involvement in Korea in the early 1950’s. You can scan QR codes for information in English. The best exhibits are the fighter jet, tank and artillery out the back.
Victoris Karelias collection of Traditional Greek Costumes
This museum is simply wonderful. Beautifully presented costumes, belts and buckles from around Greece are displayed imaginatively and they are all stunning. There’s information in English on interactive pads that explain everything you need to know. A wonderful experience, we loved it here. [And it’s air conditioned!].
You can get to the castle if you follow the small streets up the hill behind Apapantis Church or another way is by approaching from the other side if you follow the main road after the Food Market that sweeps to the right heading uphill.
We thought the castle would be closed but it was well and truly open and we enjoyed walking in the grounds. The Frankish Castle is 13th Century and the remains of the walls are still pretty impressive. There is a modern amphitheatre in the grounds and at the top is the site of the original Church of Kalomata.
There are amazing views over the city to the south and north of the Taygetos Mountains.
The Market
The large food market is held every Wednesday and Saturday inside and around a large unnatractive purpose built building on the northern perimeter of the city. A huge range of fruit, veg, meat, fish, herbs and of course olive and honey products and other local produce are on show. It’s no tourist trap, it’s an important focal point for the area.
The Lower Town
The modern town to the south stretches to the Messinian Gulf and while it is featureless and a bit blocky, it does have some interesting buildings and monuments as well as plenty of bars, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s still a fair walk from here to the beach and the marina.
The main square is absolutely huge, it’s dotted with memorials and is flanked by boutiques and cafes and is now overlooked by an impressive mural of Maria Callas.
Agios Taxiarchis
We came across this lovely church when we were wandering around the Modern Town. It was founded in 1938 and is beautifully decorated inside and the area surrounding it had a lovely cafe culture vibe.
Seafront and Marina
The seafront at Kalamata covers most of the bay from Verga in the south to the Port in the north of the city and is a blanket of sunbeds and umbrellas. There are loads of cafe’s and restaurants to keep the hordes nourished and the most amazing inflatables in the sea for the kids or young at heart. Away from the beach crowds, the marina has more taverna’s [and boats].
Kalamata International Dance Festival
This festival occurs in July and lasts around 10 days and is worth checking out if you are in the city at this time. We have managed to catch a couple of excellent free perfomances in the main square over the past couple of years.
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