The modern city of Messini in Messinia, Greece
The modern city of Messini is located 10 km southwest of Kalamata. It is the second largest city in Messinia and has a population of 7,000. Messini is located near the Pamisos river, which lies on the Messinian plane in an area called Makaria or in Greek ‘happy land’.
Messini’s story
Pausanias referred to the city of Messini as early as AD 150. C. with the name of Limnai, where the sanctuary of Artemis Limnatida was located. In AD 440 the city was settled by the inhabitants of ancient Messini and became the seat of the Diocese of Messini until 1300 when the seat was transferred to Androusa.
In the year 900 AD. C., the Melissinans built the fort of Melipyrgos in a place that today is called Paniyirstra. The abundant waters of the Pamisos and the Riaka stream gave the fortified enclosure of Melipyrgos the feeling of an island, for which the city received the nickname of Nisi (island). This name was first found in Frankish occupation texts and still survives today. In the French Chronicle of the Morea, Messini (Nisi) is mentioned as the favorite place of the Frankish queen Isabele Villehardouin, better known as Princess Isabeau.
On May 25, 1770, the last page of the Orloff Rising was written in the ruins of Melipyrgos, which is also where the last remaining fighters under the command of Yannis Mavronichallis fell. Among those who met a heroic death were Yorgis Felessas, the grandfather of Papaflessas and Yannis Kolokotronis, the grandfather of the old man from Morea who was captured and tortured to death.
Along with Kalamata, Messini was one of the first cities to participate in the Revolution of 1821. It bore the colossal financial burden of training and organizing the army. Consequently, in 1825 it was destroyed by Ibrahim Pasha. The Diocese of Messini was established once more in 1825 and in 1867 the Messinas name was officially reinstated.
In the years between the two world wars, Messini was the muse of an outstanding literary figure Sotiris Patatzis, who among other works wrote novels called Methismeni Politia (Drunken Country) and I Neraida tou Vithou (The Water Nymph of the Deep).
Many other famous Greek people can also trace their origins back to Messini, including Frida Liappa (film director), Ellie Fotis (actress), and Nikos Doulamis (singer), to name just a few.
The city of Messini today
Today’s city economy is based on agriculture, as well as a growing service industry comprising hotels, restaurants, bars, and various shops. It also has several banks, pharmacies, general practitioners, dentists and a health center. Sports facilities include a national soccer field and several gyms.
The center of the city revolves around a large square with fountains at one end. Next to the square is a beautiful shady park that has a restaurant next to an amphitheater where bands play music and plays are performed during the summer. There are many festivals throughout the year and in September an open-air market is held that is famous throughout Greece. Messini’s main beach is Bouka, which is located 3 km from the city center. Bouka beach has been awarded the Blue Flag of Europe for its 20 km of sandy coastline.
There are air and land transport connections with the rest of Greece. Kalamata International Airport is located 1.3 km from the center of Messini and has charter services during the summer season, as well as daily flights to Athens. The bus station is located in the central square and the train station is on the outskirts of the city of Messini.