Peloponnese-Nauplion -Olympia: Mediterranean Collection's selected tours.

Kalamata
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Capital and chief port of the prefecture of Messinia, built in the heart of the Messinian Gulf near the ancient city of Farai mentioned by Homer, 238 km from Athens, the land of Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief. Of succulent black olives, honey eyed figs and the sesame covered sweet called pastelli.
The town is dominated by the 13th century castle above it built by Geoffrey Villehardouin. On the north side of the citadel there is a small Byzantine church dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of good eye), from which the town may have acquired its name. From the castle you can survey the expanse of sea below with its sandy and pebbly shores or turn your gaze upon the deep green plain, the "happy land" of the ancients.
The old city is spread out underneath the castle. This is where the Byzantine church of the Virgin Ypapanti and the convent of the Kalograies built in 18th century, where the nuns weave the famous Kalamata silk, are situated.