In the hinterland of Messini with destination Kontovounia Messinia

Attendance curation: Yannis Laskaris

Tour: George Stathopoulos

We leavethe glamorous Kalamata, which has rightly been the focus of all the attention in recent years, and head inland to the region of Messini and specifically to its “mountainous stone diamonds”.

The first stop for “energy” and coffee and perhaps the appropriate meze accompanied by good wine or tsipouro is Patatzis’ Drunken State, which became famous in the 80s in Greece through the series of the same name on state television.

Η
Messini
just ten kilometers from Kalamata is a quiet town that has preserved its architectural charm and is the “capital of the “gournopoula” as historically this is where the famous delicacy was first baked. According to tradition, the inhabitants here kept pigs in the neighbourhoods to keep the Turks away and when the place was liberated, a way had to be found to get rid of the hundreds of these animals that flooded the streets. This is where the first baking of the hornet’s nest begins.

Leaving Messini we follow the route to the village of Strefi after passing Avramiou with its traditional cafes and taverns.

In Strefi we will visit the stone bridge Debris, an architectural gem that is worth looking for by walking and leaving the car outside the village at the only petrol station where the narrow asphalt road starts.

In a heavenly place, the bridge that connected Pylia with Messene stands proudly while the river water flows uninterruptedly underneath it.

The serenity only opposes the natural charm that surrounds the relief.

village of Manesi

From Strefi we will head towards the village
Manesi
and continuing the “water routes” just before the entrance of the village we will stop at the amazing waterfall that, although only a few meters from the road, remains unknown. In an idyllic location it once hosted a river party by the imaginative young people of the village.

Like all the villages of the region, Manesi is famous for its good olive oil and figs.

We are well into the hinterland of the Municipality of Messini and we head towards Sterna with its famous taverns and cafes for a short stop before approaching Manganiakos and Trikorfo.

Manganese

The next stop is at the stone jewel of Messinia, the
Manganiakos
. A beautiful picturesque village full of monuments where the association and its inhabitants have invested in culture, welcomes us. It is known for its festivals and the famous Carnival of Malliaro and the many trails that start from here. The hospitality is the trademark as well as the tree house but especially the old mansions and traditional houses.

We continue to the legendary
Dr.

ΐ

to
where Papaflessas, although he stood for about ten days, did not finally give battle here but in Maniaki, so history has passed it by for a decision initiative of the legendary razophoros. Trikorfo again remains a lively and hospitable village with well-kept squares and alleys and many cafes and catering establishments. Here and the famous “Gurnopula” of Panagiotis.

We have left Tricorfo, the Dr.ΐto and we have entered the heart of the Kontovounia to stop for a while at the beautiful
Koromilia
the forgotten in time hidden in the lush vegetation and greenery while we continue to the village of
Kynigou
where it stands like a stone eagle’s nest. The tour of the village is a unique experience as in all these villages. Here you can find one of the oldest olive mills of Messinia and Greece and enjoy the uninterrupted view that distinguishes the picturesque village.

Hunter’s village

Koromilia

Paleokastro

As you approach the legendary castle of Saflaurus a stop at the historic
Paleokastro
who, although beautiful, experienced alienation and the bleeding of his children from a very early age. Full of legends and stories, the village stands the test of time through the love of all those who revive it in the summers with their brief return.

The
Σ

aflauro
stands like a guard over the village and invites you to visit it. You waste no time and in a few minutes you are at the foot of the castle that looks like a mountain. If you climb it, the view from the top is unsurpassable. It is no coincidence that the lynx is said to still live here and there are countless descriptions of its presence. Right here and within a radius of many kilometres lies the Katafigure Wild Ζωής. The unknown mountainous Messinia here is literally breathtaking.

After the castle it is necessary to visit the castle’s burial grounds. Nikolulia a well-known warrior who the Turks had resented with his actions. Next to the spring with its name there is a cave – church with a breathtaking view. Right next door is the small and beautiful village of Lantzounato with its traditional café next to the spring and the stone-built church.

Immersed in the nostalgic lushness of the mountain charm of the stone-built villages that coexist over time with nature like a magnet holding you in its arms. Hospitable and here the residents always have something to offer to prepare for food, respecting the traditions such as goat stew and many more.

Time stops here but the forced return melancholy you by renewing a short appointment in the same places but also in the other villages that make up the unique complex of Kontovounia.