HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Kalamáta ( el, Καλαμάτα ) is the second most populous city of the
Peloponnese The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic regions of Greece, geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmu ...
peninsula, after
Patras ) , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographics1_title2 = , demographics1_info2 = , timezone1 = EET , utc_offset1 = +2 , ...
, in southern Greece and the largest city of the homonymous administrative region. As the capital and chief port of the Messenia regional unit, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf. The 2011 census recorded 69,849 inhabitants for the wider Kalamata Municipality, of which, 62,409 resided in the municipal unit of Kalamata, and 54,567 in the city proper. Kalamata is renowned as the land of the Kalamatianos dance and Kalamata olives.


Name

The modern name ''Kalamáta'' is a corruption of the older name Καλάμαι, ''Kalámai'', " reeds". The phonetic similarity of ''Kalamáta'' with the phrase καλά μάτια "kalá mátia" ("good eyes") has led to various folk etymologies.


Administration

The municipality Kalamata was formed as part of the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following four former municipalities, each of which subsequently became municipal units: * Arfara * Aris * Kalamata *
Thouria Thouria ( el, Θουρία) is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kalamata Kalamáta ( el, Καλαμάτα ) is the second most populous c ...
The municipality has an area of , the municipal unit .


Subdivisions

The municipal unit of Kalamata is subdivided into the following communities (population according to the 2011 census, settlements within the community listed): Municipal communities (; population over 2,000): * Kalamata (population: 54,567; Agioi Pantes, Agios Fanourios, Bournias, Filothei, Giannitsanika, Kalamata, Kallithea-Kourti Rachi, Kokkinorachi, Koutala, Menina, Moni Velanidias, Moni Profiti Ioil, Profitis Ilias) * Verga (population: 2,252; Agriomata, Ano Verga, Kato Verga, Mousga, Pano Galari-Kampinari, Paralia Vergas) Local communities (; population under 2,000): * Alagonia (population: 176; Alagonia, Machalas) * Antikalamos (population: 361; Antikalamos, Goulismata) * Artemisia (population: 142; Agios Ioannis Theologos, Artemisia, Theotokos) * Asprochoma (population: 1,490; Akovitika, Asprochoma, Kagkareika, Kalami, Katsikovo, Lagkada-Dimitrakopouleika) *
Elaiochori Elaiochori (Greek: Ελαιοχώρι meaning "olive town") may refer to several villages in Greece: *Elaiochori, Achaea, part of the municipal unit of Dymi, Achaea *Elaiochori, Arcadia, part of the municipal unit of Korythio, Arcadia *Elaiochori, ...
(population: 270; Arachova, Dendra, Diasella, Elaiochori, Moni Dimiovis, Perivolakia) * Karveli (population: 63; Agia Triada, Emialoi, Karveli, Kato Karveli) * Ladas (population: 85; Agia Marina, Agios Vasileios, Ladas, Silimpoves-Agios Vasilis) * Laiika (population: 1,253; Laiika, Katsaraiika, Spitakia, Xerokampi) * Mikri Mantineia (population: 705; Alimoneika, Mikra Mantineia, Zouzouleika) * Nedousa (population: 135) * Piges (population: 80; Piges, Skourolakkos) * Sperchogeia (population: 830)


Province

The province of Kalamata ( el, Επαρχία Καλαμών) was one of the provinces of the Messenia Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Kalamata and West Mani.  It was abolished in 2006.


History

The history of Kalamata begins with Homer (Greek: Ομηρος) who mentions Firai, an ancient city built more or less where the Kalamata Castle stands today. It was long believed that the area that the city presently occupies was covered by the sea during ancient times, but the proto-Greek and archaic period remains (Poseidon temple) that were unearthed at Akovitika region prove otherwise.


Middle Ages

Pharai was rather unimportant in antiquity, and the site continued in obscurity until middle Byzantine times. Kalamata is first mentioned in the 10th-century ''Life of St.
Nikon the Metanoeite Nikon the "Metanoite" ( el, , ''Nikon ho Metanoeite'' (Nikon "repent!"; born circa 930, died 998.) was a Byzantine monk, itinerant preacher, and Christian Orthodox saint.: "Nikon the Metanoeite...Greek monk, itinerant preacher, and saint.": "NIKO ...
'', and experienced a period of prosperity in the 11th–12th centuries, as attested by the five surviving churches built in this period, including the Church of the Holy Apostles, as well as the comments of the Arab geographer al-Idrisi, who calls it a "large and populous" town. Following the
Fourth Crusade The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III. The stated intent of the expedition was to recapture the Muslim-controlled city of Jerusalem, by first defeating the powerful Egyptian Ayyubid S ...
, Kalamata was conquered by Frankish feudal lords
William of Champlitte William I of Champlitte (french: Guillaume de Champlitte) (1160s-1209) was a French knight who joined the Fourth Crusade and became the first prince of Achaea (1205–1209).Longnon 1969, p. 239.Evergates 2007, p. 220. Early years and the Fourth ...
and Geoffrey of Villehardouin in 1205, when its Byzantine fortress was apparently in so bad a state that it could not be defended against them. Thus the town became part of the Principality of Achaea, and after Champlitte granted its possession to Geoffrey of Villehardouin, the town was the center of the Villehardouins' patrimony in the Principality. Prince William II of Villehardouin was born and died there. After William II's death in 1278, Kalamata remained in the hands of his widow, Anna Komnene Doukaina, but when she remarried to Nicholas II of Saint Omer, King Charles of Anjou was loath to see this important castle in the hands of a vassal, and in 1282 Anna exchanged it with lands elsewhere in Messenia. In 1292 or 1293, two local Melingoi Slavic captains managed to capture the fortress of Kalamata by a ruse and, aided by 600 of their fellow villagers, took over the entire lower town as well in the name of the Byzantine emperor,
Andronikos II Palaiologos , image = Andronikos II Palaiologos2.jpg , caption = Miniature from the manuscript of George Pachymeres' ''Historia'' , succession = Byzantine emperor , reign = 11 December 1282 –24 May 1328 , coronation = 8 Novembe ...
. Constable
John Chauderon John Chauderon (french: Jean Chauderon; died 1294) was the Baron of Estamira and Grand Constable of the Principality of Achaea, the strongest of the principalities of Frankish Greece. He succeeded his father, Geoffrey Chauderon, Baron of Estami ...
in vain tried to secure their surrender, and was sent to Constantinople, where Andronikos agreed to hand the town over, but then immediately ordered his governor in Mystras not to do so. In the event, the town was recovered by the Franks through the intercession of a local Greek, a certain Sgouromalles. In 1298, the town formed the dowry of Princess Matilda of Hainaut upon her marriage to Guy II de la Roche. Matilda retained Kalamata as her fief until 1322, when she was dispossessed and the territory reverted to the princely domain. In 1358, Prince Robert gifted the '' châtellenie'' of Kalamata (comprising also Port-de-Jonc and Mani) to his wife, Marie de Bourbon, who kept it until her death in 1377. The town remained one of the largest in the Morea—a 1391 document places it, with 300 hearths, on par with Glarentza—but it nevertheless declined in importance throughout the 14th and 15th centuries in favour of other nearby sites like Androusa. Kalamata remained in Frankish hands until near the end of the Principality of Achaea, coming under the control of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea only in 1428.


Ottoman period and War of Independence

Kalamata was occupied by the Ottomans from 1481 to 1685, like the rest of Greece. In 1659, during the long war between Ottomans and Venetians over Crete, the Venetian commander Francesco Morosini, came into contact with the rebellious
Maniots The Maniots or Maniates ( el, Μανιάτες) are the inhabitants of Mani Peninsula, located in western Laconia and eastern Messenia, in the southern Peloponnese, Greece. They were also formerly known as Mainotes and the peninsula as ''Maina''. ...
, for a joint campaign in the Morea, in the course of which he took Kalamata. He was soon after forced to return to Crete, but the Venetians returned in the Morean War. The Venetian Republic ruled Kalamata from 1685 as part of the " Kingdom of the Morea" ( it, Regno di Morea). During the Venetian occupation the city was fortified, developed and thrived economically. However, the Ottomans reoccupied Kalamata in the war of 1715 and controlled it until the
Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...
. Kalamata was the first city to be liberated as the Greeks rose in the
Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...
. On 23 March 1821, it was taken over by the Greek
revolutionary A revolutionary is a person who either participates in, or advocates a revolution. The term ''revolutionary'' can also be used as an adjective, to refer to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor. ...
forces under the command of generals Theodoros Kolokotronis, Petros Mavromichalis and Papaflessas. However, in 1825, the invading Ibrahim Pasha destroyed the city.


Modern period

In independent Greece, Kalamata was rebuilt and became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean sea. It is not surprising that the second-oldest
Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...
in the Mediterranean, after that of Marseille, exists in Kalamata. In 1934, a large strike of harbor workers occurred in Kalamata. The strike was violently suppressed by the government, resulting in the death of 5 workers and 2 other residents of the town. During World War II on 29 April 1941, a battle was fought near the port between the invading German forces and the
2nd New Zealand Division The 2nd New Zealand Division, initially the New Zealand Division, was an infantry Division (military), division of the New Zealand Army, New Zealand Military Forces (New Zealand's army) during the World War II, Second World War. The division was ...
, for which Jack Hinton was later awarded the Victoria Cross. Kalamata was liberated on September 9, 1944 after a battle between ELAS and the local Nazi collaborators. Kalamata was again in the news on 13 September 1986, when it was hit by an earthquake that measured 6.2 on the
surface wave magnitude The surface wave magnitude (M_s) scale is one of the magnitude scales used in seismology to describe the size of an earthquake. It is based on measurements of Rayleigh surface waves that travel along the uppermost layers of the Earth. This ma ...
scale. It was described as "moderately strong" but caused heavy damage throughout the city, killed 20 people and injured 330 others. Following this severe damage, the local authorities and individuals strained their financial resources to bring a wind of change to the capital of Messinia. Due to these efforts, Kalamata has now developed into a modern provincial capital and has returned to growth during the recent years. Today, Kalamata has the second largest population and mercantile activity in Peloponnese. It makes important exports, particularly of local products such as raisins, olives and olive oil. It is also the seat of the Metropolitan Bishop of Messenia. The current Metropolitan Bishop is Chrisostomus III, since 15 March 2007.


Sights

Maria Callas Alumni Association of the Music School of Kalamata / "Maria Callas Museum" There are numerous historical and cultural sights in Kalamata, such as the Villehardouin castle, the Ypapanti Byzantine church, the Kalograion monastery with its silk-weaving workshop where the Kalamata scarves are made, and the municipal railway park. The Church of the Holy Apostles is where Mavromichalis declared the revolt against Ottoman rule in 1821. Art collections are housed at the Municipal Gallery, the Archaeological Museum of Messenia and the Folk Art Museum. * Benakeion Archaeological Museum of Kalamata, located in the heart of the historical centre of Kalamata. * Cultural events, such as th
Kalamata International Dance Festival
* Kalamata Drama International Summer School * Kalamata Castle from the 13th century AD. * The
marina A marina (from Spanish , Portuguese and Italian : ''marina'', "coast" or "shore") is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats. A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships o ...
and the Port of Kalamata, located SW of the city centre, is the main and largest port in Messenia and the southern part of the Peloponnese. * Kalamata Municipal Stadium, home of Messiniakos, seats 5,400 spectators * The
Railway Museum of the Municipality of Kalamata Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a prep ...
, a railway museum which first opened since 1986 * Ancient Messene, some 15 to north-west of modern Messini * The
Temple of Apollo Epicurius A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
is about two-hour drive north from Kalamata. * The Maria Callas Alumni Association of the Music School of Kalamata (www.mariacallas.gr) with the exhibition of the personal letters of the legendary Maria Callas.


Cathedral of Ypapanti

Kalamata's cathedral of the ''Ypapanti'' (Presentation of the Lord to the Temple) nestles beneath the 14th-century Frankish castle. The foundation stone was laid on 25 January 1860, and the building was consecrated on 19 August 1873. It suffered great damage during the 1986 earthquake, but was subsequently restored. The Festival of the ''Ypapanti'' (27 January through 9 February) is of national importance for the Greek Orthodox Church and, locally, the occasion for a holiday (2 February), when the litany of what is believed to be a miraculous icon, first introduced in 1889, takes place. In late January 2010 the city hosted the
Ecumenical Patriarch The ecumenical patriarch ( el, Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης, translit=Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs) is the archbishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), New Rome and '' primus inter pares'' (first among equals) among the heads of th ...
Bartholomew to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the cathedral. He was offered the golden key of the city. The region around Kalamata has provided two Ecumenical patriarchs in the past.


Economy

Kalamata's
Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...
is the second-oldest in the Mediterranean after Marseille. Kalamata is well known for its black Kalamata olives. Karelia Tobacco Company has been in operation in Kalamata since 1888.


Historical population


Climate

Kalamata has a mediterranean climate ( Köppen ''Csa'') with mild, wet winters and dry, hot summers. Kalamata receives plenty of precipitation days in winter. Summers are very hot and dry. The maximum temperature ever recorded at Kalamata is and the minimum ever recorded is .


Transportation

Kalamata is accessed by GR-7/ E55/ E65 in the west and GR-82 runs through Kalamata and into the Taygetus. The motorway to Kalamata from Tripoli is complete Kalamata is served by a
metre gauge Metre-gauge railways are narrow-gauge railways with track gauge of or 1 metre. The metre gauge is used in around of tracks around the world. It was used by European colonial powers, such as the French, British and German Empires. In Europe, la ...
railway line of the former Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways, now owned by the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE). There is a
station Station may refer to: Agriculture * Station (Australian agriculture), a large Australian landholding used for livestock production * Station (New Zealand agriculture), a large New Zealand farm used for grazing by sheep and cattle ** Cattle statio ...
and a small freight yard in the city, as well as a rolling stock maintenance depot to the north. There used to be a mainline train service to Kyparissia, Pyrgos and Patras, and a suburban service to Messini and the General Hospital. However, in December 2010 all train services from Kalamata, along with those in the rest of the Peloponnese south of Corinth, were discontinued on economic grounds, and the train station is now closed. A previously disused extension line to the port is now a ''Railway Park'', with old steam engines on display and a cafe in the old station building. There is a bus link, operated by the KTEL company, to Tripoli, Corinth, and Athens with frequent services. Ferries are available to places such as the Greek islands of Kythira and Crete in the summer months. Also in the summer months, charter and scheduled flights fly direct to Kalamata International Airport from some European cities. A scheduled service by Aegean Air once a day linking Kalamata and Athens International Airport commenced in 2010. Kalamata also has four urban bus lines that cross the city and its suburbs.


Cuisine

Local specialities: *'' Kalamata olives'' *'' Lalagia'' () *'' Diples'' (dessert) *'' Pasteli'' (dessert) *'' Talagani'' cheese *'' Sfela'' cheese


Notable people

* Andreas Apostolopoulos (born 1952), real estate developer and sports team owner *
Giannis Christopoulos Giannis Christopoulos may refer to: * Giannis Christopoulos (footballer, born 1972) * Giannis Christopoulos (footballer, born 2000) {{hndis, Christopoulos, Giannis ...
(born 1972), football coach * Yiannis Chryssomallis ("Yanni") (born 1954), composer and musician *
Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos ( el, Βασίλειος Κωνσταντακόπουλος ''Vassilis Constantakopoulos'') 29 June 1935 - 25 January 2011) was a Greek captain, shipowner and entrepreneur. Personal life Constantakopoulos was born ...
(19352012), shipowner * George A. Iliopoulos (born 1987) actor, President of the Maria Callas Alumni Association *
Aggeliki Daliani Aggeliki Daliani (Greek: Αγγελική Δαλιάνη; born August 11, 1979) is a Greek actress and entrepreneur. She is best known for her role as Maria in Maria, i Aschimi, the Greek edition of the television series ''Betty la Fea''. Early ...
(born 1979) actress * Nikolaos Doxaras, painter *
Panagiotis Doxaras Panagiotis Doxaras ( el, Παναγιώτης Δοξαράς) (1662–1729) also known as Panayiotis Doxaras, was an author and painter. He was a prolific member of the Heptanese School. He was influenced by early members of the movement name ...
, painter * Nikolaos Georgeas (born 1976), footballer *
Alexandros Koumoundouros Alexandros Koumoundouros ( el, Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος, 4 February 1815 – 26 February 1883) was a Greek politician. Born in Kampos, on the Messenian side of the Mani Peninsula, he was the son of Spyridon-Galanis Koumoun ...
, Prime Minister of Greece in the 19th century *
Elia Markopoulos Elias Evan Markopoulos (Greek: Ηλιας Εβαν Μαρκόπουλος; born April 13, 1994), better known by his ring name Elia Markopoulos, and sometimes referred to as Evan, is a Greek American professional wrestler from Hudson, Massachuset ...
, American professional wrestler who spent his childhood summers at his family's home in Kalamata. * Gerasimos Michaleas (1947), American Eastern Orthodox bishop * Panos Mihalopoulos (born 1949), actor *
Nikos Moulatsiotis Nikos Moulatsiotis ( el, Νίκος Μουλατσιώτης) is a Greek footballer (soccer player) and a coach. He played in the 1970s in the First and Second Divisions with Kalamata and Panachaiki. Club career Nikos Moulatsiotis was born in Ka ...
, footballer and coach * Sokratis Papastathopoulos (born 1988), footballer * Prokopis Pavlopoulos (born 1950) lawyer, university professor, politician, former President of Greece from 2015 to 2020 *
Vassilis Photopoulos Vassilis Photopoulos ( el, Βασίλης Φωτόπουλος) (1934, Kalamata – 14 January 2007, Athens, Greece) was an influential Greek painter, film director, art director and set designer. He was an Academy Award winner for the film ''Zorb ...
(19342007) painter, film director, art director and set designer * Nikolaos Politis (18721942), diplomat, lawyer * Maria Polydouri (19021930), poet *
Aris San Aris San ( el, Άρης Σαν, ; January 19, 1940 – July 25, 1992) was a Greek-Israeli singer and nightclub owner who popularized Greek music in Israel in the late 1950s and 1960s. Biography Aristides Seisanas ( el, Αριστείδης Σεϊ ...
(born Aristides Saisanas, 19401992), Greek-Israeli singer *
Angelos Skafidas Angelos Skafidas (Άγγελος Σκαφιδάς) is a Greek soccer (footballer) player and a former coach. He played in the 1960s and the 1970s in the First and Second divisions with Kalamata F.C. A player Angelos Skafidas was born in Kalama ...
, footballer and coach * Kenny Stamatopoulos (born 1979), footballer * Michail Stasinopoulos (19032002) lawyer, President of the Republic of Greece * Gregory Stephanopoulos (born 1950) Professor of Chemical Engineering, MIT * William II of Villehardouin (died 1278) the last Villehardouin prince of Achaea * Mihalis Papagiannakis (19412009), Greek politician * Panagiotis Benakis (17001771), Greek notable *
Stavros Kostopoulos Stavros Kostopoulos ( el, Σταύρος Κωστόπουλος, 14 September 1900 – 23 June 1968) was a Greek banker and politician. Biography He was born in Kalamata and he was the son of the banker Ioannis Kostopoulos. He attended the 1st Gym ...
(19001968), Greek banker and politician * Dimitrios Stefanakos (born 1936), Greek footballer *
Konstantinos Ventiris Konstantinos Ventiris ( el, Κωνσταντίνος Βεντήρης, 1892–1960) was a Hellenic Army officer who rose to the rank of lieutenant general. He served twice as Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff and was one of the senior gov ...
(18921960), Greek army officer *
Panagiotis Bachramis Panagiotis Bachramis ( el, Παναγιώτης Μπαχράμης; 12 March 1976, in Kalamata – 13 August 2010, in Kyparissia) was a Greek professional footballer who played as midfielder. On August 13, 2010, he was killed when a speedboat st ...
(19762010), Greek footballer * Nikos Economopoulos (born 1953), Greek photographer * Bleepsgr, Greek street artist


Sporting teams

Kalamata hosts a lot of notable sport clubs with earlier presence in the higher national divisions in Greek football. It also hosts one of the oldest Greek club, the club
Messiniakos FC Founded in 1888, Messiniakos Gymnastic Club ( el, Μεσσηνιακός Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος) is one of the oldest athletic club in Greece with Panagiotis Benakis its first president. Messiniakos' traditional colours are green ...
founded in 1888.


International relations


Twin towns—sister cities

Kalamata is
twinned Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to: * In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so; * Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning * Twinning inst ...
with: * Aglantzia, Cyprus. * Xi'an,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
* Lowell, Massachusetts, United States


References


External links


Municipality of Kalamata



Messinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry



Kalamata
The Official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation
Greek Local Yellow Pages of Kalamata
{{Authority control Byzantine sites in Peloponnese (region) Castles in the Peloponnese Greek prefectural capitals Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece Municipalities of Peloponnese (region) Populated places in Messenia