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Around The World – Messenia, Greece

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Limeni, Mani, Peloponnese, Greece . George Kavallierakis/World Pictures/Photoshot/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: ptsstock022553

On January 1st, 2011, there was a drastic overhaul, referred to as the Kallikratis plan, of Greece’s administrative system. The former system consisted of 13 regions, 54 prefectures and 1,033 municipalities and communities. It was replaced by seven decentralized administrations, 13 regions and 325 municipalities. One of these regional units is the charming and unbelievably scenic Messenia, Greece. Located in the southwestern Peloponnese, Messenia’s biggest city is the riverside Kalamata.

Firmly etched into history like the ruins of Rome, Kalamata harkens back to Homer, who mentions Pharai, an ancient city located around where the historic Villehardouin castle stands today. Previously, it was believed that during this time frame, the region was covered by the sea, but after proto-Greek and archaic period remains were unearthed at Akovitka, this was disproven.

Many residents own land, even if it’s on the smaller side, where they can grow everything from cucumbers to squash to tomatoes. Though Greece has had its economic and budgetary woes recently, Kalamata remained relatively stable despite some uncertainty regarding their reliance on tourism.

The other towns in Messenia are quite small, dropping from the 54,000 in Kalamata to an average of around of about 4-5,000. Though these smaller areas are not without their allure, Filiatra has a replica, albeit smaller, of the Eiffel Tower, Kyparissa has a fortress built during the Frankish period, and Gargalianoi is surrounded by grapevines and olive trees.

Though the islands of Mykonos and Santorini are typically the areas of Greece tourists seek out, Messenia has many access areas to the gorgeous and tranquil beaches beside the Ionian Sea. Most of its vacationers are Greek, so if you wanted to really engage in the culture of Greece, you just might want to consider venturing off the beaten path.

Check out our awesome lightbox full of great pictures of Messenia!

rio-antirion-bridge

A man is silhouetted at sunset in front of the Rio-Antirion bridge in south-western Greece, on May 20, 2004. JOHN KOLESIDIS/REUTERS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: rtrlive654774

lakonian-mani

Europe, Greece, Peloponnese, Areolopi, Lakonian Mani. Boat in harbor. Walter Bibikow / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom, License this from Newscom.com: ddpphotos132321

mani-greece

Mani, Greece – Mani, or Maina, the Southernmost and middle peninsula of the Peloponnese or Morea, straddling the districts of Lakonia and Messenia in Southern Greece, is a treasure trove of Byzantine and post Byzantine churches, Frankish castles and stunning scenery. Aristidis Vafeiadakis/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaglobalthree343909

greece-peloponnese

Jun. 06, 2009 – Greece – Peloponnese, Mani area. Mattes Ren/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericassix581156

koimesis-church

Koimesis church. Exterior. Mattes akg-images / Tristan Lafranchis/Newscom License this from Newscom.com: akgphotos100464

elonas-monastery

Elonas monastery, Mani, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe. Oliviero Olivieri/Robert Harding/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: rhphotos018753

gulf-of-messinia

The coast near Itilo, sunset over the sea.-Photo, 1998. Herv� Champollion / akg-images/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: akgphotos131802

towerhouses-of-vathia

Towerhouses of Vathia, Mani peninsula, Peloponnese, Greece. Konrad Wothe Image Broker/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: ibphotos105840

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