Mycenaean

Messenia was the home province of the wise King Nestor of Homer's Illiad. His palace survives, and this and the related museum are well worth a visit.

Nestor's Palace: home of the Homeric King Nestor, and the famous Nestor's Bath (watch out Agamemnon!).

Hora Museum: houses the finds from the Palace of Nestor.

Classical

After the freeing of Messenia from Spartan rule in 371BC, the ancient town of Messeni was built. Easy to reach from SaintFridays, as are Olympia and Megalopolis.

Messeni: temples, public buildings, ancient houses and of course the most impressive ancient fortifications in all of Greece.

Olympia: the place where it all began, unmissable and hugely evocative.

Megalopolis: Well preserved Classical city, with an excellent theatre.

Byzantine

Byzantium endures in Messenia and around, with castles and churches, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mistra not far!

Castle of Koroni: Stunning castle located in the beautiful village of Koroni, just a few miles from SaintFridays.

Mistra: former capital of Morea, this Byzantine town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved in all it's glory. This is the Pompei of the Byzantine World, a breathtaking window into the past glories of the greatest empire the world has known. Closes at 7-8 in the evening.

Venetian

The Venetian presence in Messenia left great castles guarding the sea, and now provide a magnificent scenic backdrop to the area.

Methoni: Imposing sister castle to Koroni, surrounded by sea and moat.

Later

The are around SaintFridays was important in the War of Independence, and has many places to visit evocative of thsi time.

Kalamata: the first town liberated in the War of Independence, visit the Church of Agioi Apostoloi to see the center of the revolution.

Pylos: site of the battle of Navarino, which secured independance for Greece.

Kardhamili: in the Mani, features a medieval town and abandoned tower houses, with an unusual church bell tower.