 Kalamata’s
beach and at
the far end
Verga Here we have a number of municipal departments located east of the Municipality of Kalamata and on the northeastern side of Gulf of Messinia. These small towns belong to Messinian Mani, yet they have an urban and touristy character. There are beautiful beaches here, as well as several hotels and other lodgings for tourists, drawing visitors from Greece and abroad, and are also known for a very vibrant nightlife. Verga
The municipal department of Verga comprises three villages: Paralia (or beach), Ano (Upper) Verga and Kato (Lower Verga). At Paralia (8 km from Kalamata), near the mouth of the Selitsa Stream, we come across the remains of a fortified wall that has two towers and battlements. This was where the forces of Mani managed to block the progress of Ibrahim Pasha.  The beach of Verga Kato Verga (also known as Kato Selitsa) is built on a steep slope above Paralia, a position that affords a wonderful view of Kalamata and the Gulf of Messinia. A path connects the village to Ano Verga. There are three churches worth noting here: Aghios Georgios, Aghios Spyridonas (with 17th - 18th century murals) and Aghios Constantinos (with 18th century murals).  Monument
of the Maniots
in memory of
the Verga battle The traditional village of Ano Verga (Ano Selitsa), built at an altitude of 860 meters and enjoying a sprawling vista of the Messinian Gulf, has a number of noteworthy Byzantine churches, the most important of which is the Church of Aghia Paraskevi. It is crossshaped and has a dome with eight sides. The built-in chancel is well preserved and adorned inside and out with 17th century murals. Other interesting churches in the area are: Eisodion tis Theotokou, which has a wood-carved iconostasis dated to 1824; Aghiou Nikolaou with its 17th century murals; Aghiou Ioannou Theologou, which has murals from 1741 and the Church of Sotiros (the Savior).  Ibrahim
Pasha Mantineia
Mantineia is located southeast of Kalamata and is comprised of Megali (Big) Mantineia, between the bays of Almyros and Kitrion, and Mikri (Small) Mantineia, 1 km south of the bay and town of Almyros (which is famous for its hot springs). Almyros and Mikri Mantineia are two of the most popular summer resorts for the people of Kalamata. The traditional village of Palaia (Old) Mikri Mantineia has several interesting churches: Aghios Athanasios (1898), Aghios Haralambos (1900), Aghi Apostoli (with 18th century murals), Aghios Spyridonas (or Aghios Ioannis Theologos, possibly built during the second period of Venetian rule) and Aghios Nikolaos. The latter displays some neoclassical elements and is dated to the early 19th century, though it is likely that its construction belongs to an earlier period and the neoclassical characteristics are due to extensive reconstruction work in the early 19th century.  The village
of Ano Verga Worth looking out for in Mikri Mantineia (10 km from Kalamata) are the old Panayiotaros flour mills and the churches of Koimisis tis Theotokou (with a built-in chancel, 18th century murals and traces of older murals, as well as a small collection of popular Maniot art from the 18th century) and Profitis Ilias. Near Mylos, in a beautiful part of country, lies the Kapetanakis tower (Panayiotarou on the right) and its surrounding buildings. The tower is four stories high, 20 meters tall and 7 meters wide and has been listed for preservation.  Night-life in Verga. At the
far end lies Kalamata |
