A city that faces the sea, feeling the openness of the Messinian Gulf’s embrace, with the patina of history running through its historic centre. The first major city of Greece to be liberated from the Turks, it is an important commercial port with a strong economy that defined not only Kalamata’s history, but the history of the whole country.
Let’s discover Kalamata in six stops; a lively town, dancing to the rhythms of a famous dance festival, creating new gastronomic hot spots and welcoming thousands of visitors every year, who discover its light, its flavours, its past and its unique flair.
A bit of Architectural History
There are traces of Greece’s modern history everywhere you look. Stroll around and take a sniff of the rich architectural history of the town; early neoclassical buildings that mark the transition from traditional to urban architecture and eclectic buildings that recall the cosmopolitan character of the city. In the church of the Holy Apostles, a small beautiful 12th century Byzantine temple, the celebratory doxology of the liberation of the city took place on 23 March 1821.
Eminent leaders of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire such as Kolokotronis, Nikitaras, Petrobeis Mavromichalis, Papaflessas and other notables entered Kalamata as liberators, writing the pages of History.
Historical centre
The Victoria Karelia Collection of Greek costumes
It is not exactly a museum or a collection, but rather an experiential exhibition space and a modern form of guided tour. It is a revelation of how a journey into knowledge and beauty can be fun and inspiring. The Victoria Karelia Costume Collection presents perhaps the most complete collection of Greek local costumes with an inventive thematic presentation, which in a sense reflects the uniqueness of this brilliant woman. Dresses, gowns, scarves and jewellery, witnesses of a bygone era, reveal different worlds of trade and travel. There are costumes from Thrace, the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese, from every corner of the country, and in addition, temporary exhibitions of artists who interact subversively with tradition are constantly hosted. The latest temporary exhibition, entitled Heroes of Metal, by Greek artist Nikos Floros, features metal sculptures which converse with heroes of the Greek War of Independence, exploring the concept of costume and material recycling. The collection is housed in a neoclassical building that has been sympathetically renovated in the city centre.
Info: 64, Stadiou Street, Kalamata, +30 27210 86923, www.vgkareliascollection.com
Oinopantopoleion Chrysomallis
A few metres away from the emblematic church of Ypapanti in Kalamata, lies the famous Oinopantopoleion Chrysomallis , a grocery shop and tavern in one, and a gastronomic stop for several decades now. The grocery store opened in 1958 and quickly became a wine shop and tavern, experiencing great moments of glory and going through many changes through the years.
In December 2014, the Oinopantopoleion Chrysomallis entered a new era with the younger Chrysomallis generation turning it into a modern restaurant, drawing from its long tradition but adding much creativity. Excellent dishes with quality ingredients, based on original recipes, are served in a beautiful and truly unique environment. Order one of their pasta dishes, such fried eggs and roasted myzithra (traditional Greek whey cheese) or the handmade pasta with shrimp filling and seafood sauce, that will fill your table with flavours and aromas and evoke the values of the local cuisine. In addition to the daily specials, the menu also features many mouth-watering dishes such as fava (yellow split pea puree), taramasalata (Greek fish roe dip), zucchini flowers, fried eggplant with bean sauce, fresh salads, seafood and many other delicious options. The owner, Panagiotis, has attended a series of wine related seminars, thus deepening his knowledge in the field, and as a result the shop boasts an up-to-date wine cellar and Panagiotis willingly offers guests his advice on choosing the right wine to accompany their meal.
Info: 32, Ypapantis Street, Kalamata, +30 27210 82759
Callicounis Distillery
Founded by Nikolaos Callicounis in 1850, the distillery is the oldest production unit in modern Greece, with170 years of history behind it. Although a challenging venture at the time, the project eventually proved to be very successful, as the distillery has won 46 gold metals and Honorary diplomas of distinction for their products, which adorn the company showroom in Kalamata.
Today, the fifth generation has taken over the Callicounis Distillery, and the company is staffed with highly qualified scientists and equipped with a modern research and innovation laboratory, producing a wide range of products. In the company premises near Kalamata airport, there is a beautiful area where visitors can browse dozens of souvenirs from the company’s many years of activity.
Info: 7o km, EO Kalamata – Messini, +30 2721069805
Mural and Digital Exhibit “Morias 1821”
The Morias 1821 programme, initiated by the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation” and TEMES SA, a leading investor, developer and operator in the high-end tourism and real estate sector in Greece who created Costa Navarino, continues with a series of special events that marked the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution.
In particular, 3D multimedia digital exhibits and public murals were created, while the University of Peloponnese and the School of Fine Arts unfolded the narrative of the Greek War of Indipendence. In Kalamata, visitors can marvel at the Digital Exhibit at the town’s Municipal Cultural Centre, where the painting “Praise of March 23rd in Kalamata”, by artist Evangelos Drakos, comes to life.
Opening hours: daily, 9:00-13:00 & 17:00-20:00.
Also, in the context of the public murals project, in Kalamata, on Psaron Street, in a school complex next to the administrative building, we find portraits of Petrobeis, Kolokotronis, Papaflessas, Nikitaras, Papatsonis and Anagnostaras.
Tastings of traditional products and olive oil
Fine products, traditional recipes, excellent ingredients and the trademark product of the region, namely olive oil, form the basis of the gastronomic experiences and tastings organized around Kalamata by Mama’s Flavours.
Accompanied by Maria Monastirioti, who has lived in Kalamata for many years, you will have the opportunity to walk through the town’s lovely streets, listen to stories about the gastronomic culture of the region and meet the locals who offer high quality products and services every day. Through a unique tasting of local dishes and recipes, get ready for an authentic experience full of flavours and aromas, hard to resist but definitely memorable. Mama’s flavours activities in Kalamata include visits to olive groves and mills, and olive oil tastings by professional olive oil sommeliers, Greek cooking lessons with local and renowned chefs, as well as food tours including visits to local shops and tastings of local products, such as lalangia (pencil thin dough fritters), pasteli (Greek honey-sesame bars), homemade yoghurt, olive oil, and wine.
All this of course requires teamwork so Mama’s flavours has formed partnerships with local professionals in Kalamata. Olive oil tasting, for instance, takes place in the company of Georgios Koutelas, an experienced olive oil sommelier, while the cooking lessons take place under the guidance of Christos Koumantos, seasoned chef from Kalamata. Both are characterized by sheer professionalism and lots of experience. (www.mamasflavours.gr)
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