Archaeological Site of Ancient Messini — Attraction in Municipality of Messini

After a traditional Greek breakfast at Hotel Messana, we enter the extensive archaeological site of Ancient Messene. Most scenically attractive, the ancient sites nestle on gently sloping slopes towards the sea in the south. The builders already appreciated this absolute top location 2500 years ago. After the end of the occupation by the Spartans in Messenia, here at the foot of the holy mountain Ithomi 369 BC. a magnificent urban settlement. The ancient traveler Pausanias, who traveled the Peloponnese in the 2nd century AD, described many ancient sites that we also visit, including Messene. A medium-sized theatre, the well house of the Arsinoe, which secured the drinking water supply, as well as an agora with a stoa and a ceremonial square dedicated to Asklepion have been excavated on the site. There is also a bouleuterion and a temple to the eponymous goddess Messene. The absolute special feature is a small tomb with a pitched roof and the well-preserved stadium. This is still originally flanked by 2 rows of columns of 110 meters each. There are also ancillary buildings, such as a mausoleum or a palaestra. We have actually never visited an ancient site of this magnitude, on which so many columns or buildings were still (or again) perfectly in place. Incidentally, as an encore, so to speak, you will also find a Byzantine basilica ruin and the foundations of a Roman villa. Finally, we pass the merchants' quarter, where we find stone tables with chiseled capacity as the norm for the merchants. While the first busloads of visitors are arriving, we are done and set...

The Ancient City of Messene is honestly one of the most underrated archaeological sites in Greece. Everyone talks about Olympia, but after visiting both, I can say Messene feels even more impressive. The site is huge, beautifully preserved and yet not crowded at all. You really get the chance to explore at your own pace without the stress of tourist buses.

The theater is the highlight, it’s massive, one of the largest of the ancient world, and you can actually walk around, sit on the stone seats and feel the scale of it. But Ancient Messene is not just the theater. The entire city unfolds around you: the stadium, the agora, the sanctuaries, the fortification walls and the gates that are still standing tall after more than 2,000 years. It’s like stepping into a living city frozen in time.

What I loved most was the atmosphere. The valley views are stunning, the air is peaceful and the site feels authentic and alive. There are signs and explanations everywhere and you can see ongoing excavations too, which makes it exciting.

If you think Ancient Olympia is a must-see, you’ll be amazed at how much more complete and breathtaking Messene is. Truly...

Very interesting archaeological site with several ancient public buildings. The Ministry of Culture should finance the research, the acceleration of the excavations, as well as the required restoration of the monuments. We are tired of just seeing ruins all over the country. Not all ancient monuments are like the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, which, as a symbol of our ancestral civilization and our country, obviously needs enormous attention in any partial restoration. Also, the information about the monuments is incomplete. There isn't even a 3D model to get a sense of what it was really like in ancient times. On the contrary, an excellent job has been done for the K3 Burial Monument. And for that alone it is worth visiting the place. Place more shaded benches for people to rest. Finally, shame on whoever manages the canteen inside the archaeological site. We asked for a 500ml bottle of water and were told they didn't have any, so we got a 1 liter bottle for 3 euros. Immediately after, a foreign tourist take two 500 ml bottles of water for 4.5 euros each!...