ancient messini

What an amazing and wonderful ancient site. Approaching the ancient city by car from above one can see the remains of the vast walls all around - makes the walled cities of Nicosia in Cyprus, Urbino in italy or St. Albans in England tiny by comparison. You start and end at the coffee shop, where they do a good cuppaccino, and allow several hours for your visit. During the hotter months do take a hat and plenty of water as the whole site is vast, quite exposed with very little shade. With excavatations actively ongoing the site is constantly growing but do walk all the way to the ancient stadium its quite spectacular, not to mention all the other structures you see on the way. Do a little reasearch before your visit as the entrance kiosk may have run out of small guide maps but don't miss this wonderful site.

So great to visit hear...fresh grapevines just to collect and eat.Not too many other people.. Quite hard (+38 degrees) for small kids but icecream helped afterwards. Old stadium with their seats were great to see.

This is an unusually interesting site. First, the scale of the digs is amazing. Then, the location is breathtaking. This was a very large city and what is left gives an idea of how prosperous it must have been. The stadium is a gem.

You go riding through the Arcadian Gate, nine kilometers after Meligala and immediately understand that this is not an ordinary archaeological site. Where else there is, indeed, the ancient entrance to the city which runs the entire car? The Arcadian gate is a special case of entry ancient city, though: It looks built by Cyclops, both are gigantic boulders that compose. There was, in her time, a symbol of strength and technical model fortification that protected the road which linked ancient Messene in Arcadia. Not only is the location, near the village of Messinian Mavromati surrounded by green slopes gently leading the Messinian valley, which makes it gives the impression that it is in the middle of nowhere. They are routes, with gravel paths to meander among olive trees and ancient columns, under the merciless sun Messinian, climbing stone steps in which (it is almost impossible to believe that) people go up and down a half millennia ago. It is also beautifully preserved ancient theater, one of the largest of the ancient world, the Ekklesiasterion with features colorful mosaics, evocative Asclepion, the fluffy, green lawn that surrounds the Temple of Artemis in the transparent roof of creating games with light, ornate fountain Arsinoe and evocative stage, the size and the view which is breathtaking. Step reconstructed under the supervision of Professor Peter Themelis classical archeology, and the work done is, in the eyes of the average observer, least impressive -elate before noon, to succeed him at work.

Unexpectedly large site, still undergoing works, gave a real feel for the history of the site. The museum was interesting as it houses all the statues discovered here. Very reasonable entrance fee. You will need to hire a car or take a taxi (45 minutes)

Standing amongst the ruins of ancient Messini actually transports you back in time. Amazing experience

That is the only way to describe the sight that greets you as you come through the gates.The site is huge and, having been here a number of times, it is wonderful to see the active progress being made on uncovering more and more of its treasures. Perhaps the best is to come though, as you walk around the top part of the site you have little inkling of the magnificent amphitheatre laid out before you on the lower level.With a backdrop of impressive mountains on one side, and the valleys down to the sea on the other, this really is a most impressive vista.The amount of restoration that has been undertaken is impressive. although (as other reviewers have noted) there is little in the way of signage (certainly compared to what we are used in the UK). But given the amount of information on-line for this site this isn't an issue.Overall a fantastic experience and well recommended making the way up the roads and tracks to get there!

Heard abt it when i was working in the near areaDecided to go there not expecting much, but was so surprised by how much was actually thereIn my view it may even be better or have more to show/offer than famous site like Delphi

Ancient Messini is that not very know ancient greek site that when you reach is like...wow stonising, overlooking the sea the place is really big and you can find from temples built by nobel families to roman houses, a cristian basilica ruin from the 7th century and a superb stadium a very nice theatre and a really big area with the asklepion, if you looking for ancient, do go to this place is really really nice

Interesting historical site that is huge. However there is little explanation on the way around the site. The museum is tiny but interesting as some full sized statues there. Would recommend a visit if you have time to do it. No shelter from rain so go when it is dry if you can. Beware of the wild dogs on the road to Ancient Messini. Would not recommend you bike or walk there, go in a group and in a car or bus. We were chased in the car by wild dogs on the way to the site and could hear a lot of dogs from the actual site so having a large stick with you could be useful just in case!

Ancient Messini is probably the best preserved archaeological site in Greece, and at the same time, probably the less knows site of them all. The location itself is picturesque and beautiful as it is nestled between few mountains in the southern Peloponnese facing the bay of Kalamata. If you have never been to archaeological site, start here. If you have been to few before, like us, don't miss it. The level of preservation of this site, from the city gates and the fortifications, through the theater, the Agora and the temples and finished with the unbelievable stadium, is quite remarkable. Walking through the site and exploring it will make you feel like you are living in Ancient Greece. It is hard to believe that only less than 30% of the site was actually excavated...The site is well marked with explanation singes in English (not obvious in other site in Greece) which makes it easier to understand the history, architecture and the planing of the city.The site is big, so if you want to see all of it allow 3-4 hours. Bring water with you as the only store is at the entrance. As the site is almost not mentioned in the travel books, there are not many people there, which allow you to enjoy it almost by yourself.The small museum is up the hill and is recommended as well.

We cycled to Ancient Messini and enjoyed the views and scenery a lot. A very interesting and nice place to visit.

It is a significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation, and still has much to offer. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, and houses and tombs. The fascinating ruins of Ancient Messini lie scattered across a small valley below the pretty village of Mavromati, 25km northwest of Kalamata. The village takes its name from the fountain in the central square; the water gushes from a hole in the rock that looks like a black eye (mavro mati in Greek). More recently ‘Mavromati’ is referred to infrequently and the name ‘Ancient Messini’ is used to refer to both the historic site and the village itself.It enjoys, amongst other things, the advantage of never having been destroyed or covered by later settlements, and is located on an unspoiled inland site. It is one of the sights that should not be missed!

Ancient Messini is picturesque, is nestled in the mountains of the southern Pelopponese and is one of the most well preserved ancient cities in all of Greece. If going during the summer or early fall, bring a hat, water and loose/light clothing and go in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Wear trekking shoes or comfortable sneakers.There are no crowds at this historically significant site and the drive through the beautiful iconic olive tree orchards is half the fun.

Go early in the morning, very hot. Loved the peace and scale of the place, children went free which was great