Kalamata Through the Eyes of EVS volunteers

K A L A M ATA THROUGH EVS EYES

VISITING KALAMATA Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti tou Sotiros Ypapanti Square

This Church was built where other churches were. The previous churches were destroyed by the Turks and the 1843 earthquake. Ypapanti Church was inaugurated in 1854.

According to a local legend, a half burnt Virgin icon was found here by a noble, according to what he had dreamt. The icon was then restored.

On the left, the Castle Church.

At the bottom, the way down to the Castle entrance.

Kalamata Castle Villehardouin Street

Kalamata Castle was built by the Franks. The Castle is considered to be Ortilochos’ Palace place, In the Iliad, it is here where the young Ulysses and Ifitos met to solve their differences and exchange some gifts.

Over the century, the castle was the centre of fights of the various dominations that took over the area.

Not a lot is left to see, unfortunately, due to the various devastations the castle suffered and above all to the 1986 earthquake. Nowadays, visitors can still make out the outline of the castle built by the Franks and a few more fortifications.

Castle amphitheatre where on summer are organised different events and concerts, some of them for free.

At the bottom the view from the amphitheatre at night.

Agios Apostoli Church 23 March Plateia

Today the church is made of two parts: the eastern part that is the older one, and the western that was added some era after.

The older part is dated to the MiddleByzantine era.

From this square took up the Greek Independence War on the 23 March 1830, thus the square name.

Local Market Nedontos Street

Close to the KTEL bus station and open every Wednesday and Saturday morning, here you can find good quality and cheap food.

There is a section for bio vegetables and one part is covered and the other is open market.

Sandalia sti Stoa 7,Ithomis Street

Shop where the typical Messinian leather sandals are sold.

Victory Statue Central Square

Statue that celebrates the 23rd March 1830 victory against the Turks and the main Greek revolutionary leaders.

Railway Park Aristodimou Street

Created from the former Kalamata train station, there are still pieces of the railroad, the station building and some old trains that occasionally can be moved. In the area there are also some playgrounds and a basket and volleyball ground.

STREET ART

Ginnasio School 20, Faron Street

Graffiti made by Skitsofrenis, one of the most active artists in Kalamata.

Corner between Faron and Vasileos Georgiou Graffiti made by the Argentinan artist Fio Silva and Skitsofrenis on occasion of the TEDx in Kalamata.

Foxtrot Coffee and Cocktail Bar 55, Valaoritou Street

Mural painting by the Argentinan artist Fio Silva.

Cats never win in Kalamata These kinds of graffiti are all over the city centre.

Bank of Greece 29, Aristomenous Street

Graffiti appeared during the Greek economic crisis, when Greek people had to vote if to approve the economical measures of the European Union or not. One of the graffiti says “no, to stay in the History�.

Antifascist Graffiti

At the bottom, another graffiti by Skitsofrenis.

OLD BUILDINGS In Kalamata there are many old buildings, unfortunately some of them suffered huge damages during the 1986 earthquake and still are like thirty years ago.

158, Vyronos Street House in Liberty style. The inscription on Navarinou Street side says: “Preserved by the Ministry of Culture and Science�.

36, Koronis Street Probably of the beginning of the 1900 with some influences of the Liberty style.

Picture taken from Vyronos Street.

199, Faron Street This villa has a Neoclassical style. It has a garden and must have been a public building as in the balcony on Faron Street side has the stick to hang the flag. Nowadays, unfortunately, it is completely abandoned.

36, Methoni Street Some of the architectural items left remind of the Neoclassical period, but most of the building is destroyed and there are plants and trees in the inside.

Because of that one writer turned it into a “Birdhouse�.

89, Aristomenous From the columns it can be figured out that it has Neoclassical style, but unfortunately it is completely abandoned and for sure this building has seen better days.

18, Aristomenous Another Neoclassical building that was an hotel right in the centre of the city.

EAT AND DRINK Stolidi Ena CafĂŠ 97, Aristodimou Street

Almost in the centre of the city, it is possible to find an orange tree garden that smells wonderfully. It is possible to come here just for a coffee or to have a brunch.

Highly recommended.

O Tzimis

23 March Square If you want to eat the traditional Greek street food, the pita, go in this place: one of the best in town.

Milopetra 6, Benaki Street

Restaurant with a nice atmosphere and where to try the typical dishes of the region.

Luna Lounge

23, Aristomenous Street A nice place where to go for a coffee or for a drink. The music is good and not too loud.

Arossa Cocktail bar Verga, Kalamata

It is in a small village up in the mountain. From here it is possible to admire the sunset on the Messinian Gulf sipping his own drink.

Amfeias Street Amfeias Street is where most of the bars are and where the nightlife is.

Bar Bar

29, Amfeias Square Another nice place where to hang out. Particularly appreciated by Latin dance fans that go there every Thursday to dance Salsa, Bachata and so on.

Baroque Cocktail Bar 34, Amfeias Street

A Cocktail bar for house music fans.

For those who love clubs and Greek Dance Music: Rocabella 23 March Square

Hotel

21, Ypapanti Street On summer it has a location close to the beach.

Sphaira

16, Ypapanti Street On Summer in 6, Navarinou Street.

Theatro

18, Ypapanti Street

Mosquito 9, Ithomis Street

A place where to go to dance techno music.

Ilision Cafe

20, Yapapantis Street It is one of the last bar to close, usually starts being crowded around 1.00 am. On Thursday there is the Latin Night.

CHRISTMAS IN KALAMATA

On the left, the Christmas tree in the Central Square.

On the top, the small houses in the Central Square give by the Municipality to the local Associations.

On the right, the stands where Kalamata handmaders sell their creations.

On the top, carousel in the Central Square for Christmas time.

Blessing of waters Navarinou Pier

On the 6th of January in Kalamata there is the Blessing of the Waters, reminding Jesus Christ’s baptism according the Orthodox Calendar. It starts with the blessing from some priests on a boat, then they throw in the water a cross and some people dive to catch it. According to the tradition, the person that catches it will be blessed and have luck for all the new year.

YOUTH CENTRE ROOF

Ypapanti Church and Taygetos mountain from the Youth Centre terrace.

Saint George Church bell Tower seen from the Youth Centre terrace

This ebook is the result of my personal experience in Kalamata. Kalamata and the Youth Centre have been my home for nine months during my EVS and the Youth Centre people my friends and family. I want to thank each one of them for the unforgettable moments spent together.

For this ebook have collaborated with me Lorenzo Brizi, Anthony De Lasa, Isaline Busignies and Noemie Attela.

Bar bar, Baroque, Rocabella, Sphaira, Theatro, Mosquito and Ilision pictures have been taken from their facebook pages.

Tania LaganĂ

The volunteer responsible for this publication are hosted in Greece in the framework of the European Erasmus+ programme, KA1/youth - European Voluntary Service.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This SXEOLFDWLRQ >FRPPXQLFDWLRQ@ UHĂ€HFWV WKH YLHZV only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.