Our place

Our place

Capital and port of Messinia prefecture, Kalamata is famous for its olives and oil. It is located in the region of ancient Pharae in the centre of which William Vileardouine built a medieval castle in mid 13th century. There are several speculations as to how Kalamata got its name:

1. It is named after a church or a monastery of the Virgin Mary the Kalomata according to the historian Politis.
2. It took its name from the large numbers of bamboo canes in the area according to historian Chatzidakis.
3. It took its name from the Jew “chani” which was located halfway the road from Sparta to Pylos  and had the Jew name <kalam-ata> meaning <fallen angel> according to historian Pantazopoulos.
4. It took its name from the ancient community of Kalamai which according to the descriptions of philosopher Paysanias was located close to the village of Elaiochori.