1600 BC
1300 BC
776 BC
420 BC
369 BC
1200
1300
1300
1300
1400
1573
1573
1700
1827
1900
1600 BC
Vaulted Tombs

Also known as “tholoi”, these Bronze Age burial structures (17th - 13th century BC) are characterized by the superposition of successively smaller rings of hewn stones.

1300 BC
The Palace of Nestor

The Palace of Nestor, the wise old king of Homeric fame, was unearthed in 1939, revealing more than 600 clay tablets inscribed with a mysterious script that has come to be known as Linear B, the first written language in history to use syllabic signs.

776 BC
Ancient Olympia

The cradle of the Olympic Games - first held in 776 BC, and a timeless shrine to the ideals of virtue, honor, peace and noble competition, ancient Olympia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its magnificent stadium.

420 BC
Temple of Apollo Epicurius

Greece's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (420-400 BC) is the work of Ictinus, one of the principal

369 BC
Ancient Messene

The city was built in 369 BC according to the Hippodamian grid system, so named after Hippodamus of Miletus, who conceived the idea that a town plan should reflect a rational and democratic social order. The massive fortification walls of Ancient Messene are among the best preserved in Greece and – according to Pausanias – were the strongest in antiquity.

1200
Church of Saint Theodora

Built around the 12th century this charming small church is the site of a “miraculous” phenomenon: 17 mature trees grow from the roof of the church with no roots visible either inside or outside the structure.

1300
Paleokastro, Pylos

This imposing fortress, built by the Franks in the 13th century on the ruins of the acropolis of Ancient Pylos, occupies a strong defensive position on a rocky promontory.

1300
The Castle of Kalamata

Lying at the head of the Gulf of Messinia, the region’s capital – Kalamata – is dominated by the ruins of a 13th century Frankish castle built by Geoffrey de Villehardouin, which today overlooks the old quarter of the city.

1300
The Castle of Koroni

Occupying a headland to the east of the modern town, this fine example of 13th century Venetian fortress architecture conceals an oasis of vegetation, a tranquil convent, quaint whitewashed houses and narrow cobblestone alleys..

1400
Andromonastiro

This remarkable Byzantine monastery is said to have been founded in the 14th century by Emperor Andronicus IV Palaeologus. The main church houses rare icons and exquisite wall paintings.

1573
Neokastro, Pylos

Built on a hilltop by the Ottomans in 1573, this fortress with six towers and formidable walls for years guarded the southern approach to Pylos harbor.

1573
Church of the Transfiguration

This well preserved church, originally built as a mosque, is located within the Neokastro fortress, but is temporarily closed to visitors due to restoration work.

1700
The Castle of Methoni

Protected by the sea on three sides, this well preserved castle is one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in Greece.

1827
Bay of Navarino

The Bay of Navarino was the scene of the famous naval battle in 1827 in which an allied British, French and Russian fleet defeated a combined Egyptian-Ottoman armada, marking a decisive turning point in the Greek War of Independence.

1900
Tsiklitiras Mansion

This impressive neoclassical residence in the center of Pylos houses the collection of French philhellene Rene Puaux (1878-1937), which includes maps, swords, pistols, medals and letters from the time of the Greek War of Independence.

Its earliest history shrouded in the mists of time, Messinia's cultural past reveals a rich tapestry of kings and queens, honor and tradition, war and friendship. Costa Navarino provides the ideal base from which to discover a fascinating history that goes back 4,500 years. Neolithic settlements, Mycenaean palaces, Classical temples, Byzantine churches and medieval castles are all within easy reach, both in Messinia as well as in the broader area of the Peloponnese. Navigate through the photo gallery to see just some of the compelling sites and monuments that stand as testimony to this remarkable historical legacy. The Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism has the copyright of the antiquities that comprise the visual content of the photographs (Law 3028/2002 "On the protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in general”).