The identity of the city

Built at the mouth of the Messinian Gulf and at the foot of Mount Taygetus, Kalamata is an economic, commercial and cultural center of the southern Peloponnese.

It has countless natural, architectural and cultural beauties and at the same time it is located in the heart of an area with a rich history and with world-class monuments at a distance of about one hour such as ancient Messina, the Palace of Nestor, ancient Olympia, the Temple of Epicurious Apollo, the Venetian castles of Messinia, Mani and Mystras.

The rich past finds its continuation in the dynamic present of the city. A modern and lively winter-summer city, in which 100,000 people move every day. A city with a high-level hospital, an international airport, university departments, TEI schools, modern cultural venues and important sports facilities. The cultural events, the historical and religious monuments, the museums, the proximity of the mountain and the sea, the fine local products pillars of the Mediterranean diet stamp its physiognomy.

The nightlife in Kalamata and its suburbs is also intense. Bars and quaint taverns operate in the winter months in the Historic Center, while in the summer the entertainment is transferred to the clubs and beach bars located next to the sea. Special evenings are offered by Verga, where there are nightclubs with amazing views of the sea and the city of Kalamata.

According to the legend, the son of Hermes and Philodameia, Faris, is considered the founder of the city. From him comes its ancient name: Phares. The Phares were built on the site of the Frankish castle and, as Homer mentions in the Iliad, they participated in the Trojan War. Later they submitted to the Laconians and then joined the territory of neighboring Messina. Gradually, however, they lost their importance.

In the 10th century A.D. the city now had the name Kalamata, while in the 12th century, it had acquired special importance. It will experience great prosperity after its occupation by the Franks (1205). In fact, one of their rulers, Guliel mos Villeardouinos, was called Kalomatis, because he was born in Kalamata. After 1470, it will be under long-term Ottoman occupation, which was interrupted by short periods of Venetian rule.

Kalamata was the first city to be freed from the Turkish yoke, on March 23, 1821. On that day, the rebel Greeks were led by Th. Kolokotronis, Petrobeis Mavromichalis, Nikitaras and Papaflessas. After her liberation, a prayer was held at the Holy Apostles, the symbol of the city, and the flags of the freedom fighters were blessed.

A century of prosperity followed, which was based on the trade of the agricultural products of the Messinian land (figs, oil, olives, silk, raisins) and local handicraft production. During these years, the city took the nickname "Marseille of Moria".

The visitor to Kalamata can enjoy swimming along the entire beach area of ​​the city (Navarinou Avenue), just a few minutes from the center. The beach combines sand and fine pebbles, while the waters are crystal clear.

This possibility is provided by the biological treatment of Kalamata's wastewater, which makes the waters of the Messinian Gulf cleaner, upgrades the environment and improves the quality of life. The project has been in operation since 1985. With its upgrade and expansion, completed in 2015, it now serves 120,000 residents in a thirty-year perspective.

One can also swim in the east of the city, where the coves of Verga, Almyros, Mikri Mantineia and Kitria are located at a maximum distance of 20 ́. Beach bars and clubs abound on these beaches. It can also indulge in exciting water activities (water skiing, windsurfing, etc.).

100% extra virgin olive oil, recognized as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product. It comes at least 95% from the Koronaiki variety and is produced only by mechanical means by pressing the olive. PDO Kalamata olive oil is green to green-yellow in color, medium fruity with a green fruit aroma, slightly bitter and slightly to medium spicy. Due to its composition, it protects against coronary heart disease and favors the homeostasis of the systems of the human body.

Known worldwide for their deliciousness, Kalamata olives have been recognized as a PDO product and are the highest quality edible black olive variety. They are picked ripe by hand and de-bittered using natural methods. Preserved in brine with olive oil, they are a wonderful appetizer of high nutritional value, with a high content of eleuropein, a substance that has an important contribution to maintaining good health. They perfectly accompany a multitude of foods.

Η αποξηραμένη μαύρη σταφίδα αποτελεί μέρος της τοπικής διατροφής από τους ομηρικούς χρόνους. Είναι βασικό προϊόν της περιοχής από τα χρόνια της ενετικής κυριαρχίας και το εμπόριο της άνθησε στα τέλη του 19ου αιώνα, φέρνοντας τον εκλεκτό καρπό της μεσσηνιακής γης στα ευρωπαϊκά σαλόνια. Σήμερα, τυποποιείται και συσκευάζεται με όλους τους κανόνες υγιεινής και ασφάλειας, ώστε να διατηρεί το άρωμα και τη γεύση της όταν φτάνει στον καταναλωτή. Έχει υψηλή θρεπτική αξία και αποτελεί πλούσια πηγή βιταμινών, ιχνοστοιχείων και μεταλλικών αλάτων.

The vineyards of Messinia are mentioned by Homer, while the traveler Pausanias (2nd century AD) mentions that Dionysus first exclaimed "Eviva!" tasting Messinian wine. The tradition continues today with high production

quality wines, which have been awarded in Greek and international competitions. This excellent result is created by the marriage of the local microclimate and modern means with the most grape qualities and the passion and courage of the growers and winemakers of the region.

Semi-hard cheese with a strong salty taste and excellent aroma. It is a PDO product and is produced from goat's and sheep's milk, without coloring agents and reinforcing ingredients. It is spicy and is eaten plain or with crispy lalangies, as a saganaki, in pies or as an accompaniment to many foods. In Messinia, PDO feta and fine graviera, cephalograviera, etc. are also produced.

One of the most famous products in the area. They are dried naturally in the sun, are completely sweet and have high nutritional value and healing properties, known by Hippocrates. They provide the body with energy, but also vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, as well as fiber.

Excellent quality and 100% natural product. Its production is favored by the great sunshine, the mild climate and the wide variety of aromatic plants in the area. In our Hotel you will find selected varieties of Honey from local producers.

Having honey and sesame as the main ingredients, it offers the body many useful substances (vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc.). Its beneficial properties, known by Herodotus, include the stimulation of the body, the reduction of cholesterol levels, the strengthening of the immune system, the anti-aging effect, etc.