Posted on February 12, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

Kalamata is the capital of the Messinia and is the second-largest city in the Peloponnese Islands. Although an increasingly popular summer destination, few people who holiday in Kalamata realise that they are flip-flopping around on roads built by citizens of the ancient Greek city of Pharai.  Impressive, eh?

Another little known fact: The city takes its name from a famous icon of the Virgin Mary known as kalo mata which literally translates as “good eye”.  The relic was found lying in the stables of an Ottoman governor, who promptly switched to Christianity after witnessing several local miracles.  Today the icon can be viewed in the city’s cathedral, the Church of Ypapantis.

Kalamata boasts a compact, but pretty old town which was very nearly wiped out by the Turks as the War of Independence raged.  Fortunately, French engineers took on the project of restoring it in the 1830s. However, in 1986 the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake and over 10,000 homes were devastated.

Tourism revenue has certainly helped the city to build itself up again in the years since.

Every year, thousands of European tourists flock to the seaside towns of Kiparissia and Methoni in search of a lazy day on the beach.

Visitors to Kalamata not only experience the stunning beauty of the region, but they can also sample the world-famous Kalamata olives which are used liberally in local cuisine.  With Kalamata car hire it is also possible to enjoy cultural and historic places of interest such as the archaeological and folklore museum, the bay of Navarino and the New Castle.  The Byzantine castle on the forested hilltop of Kiparissia makes for another nice scenic drive.