Kalamata

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Kalamata
Καλαμάτα
Kalamata
Kalamata
Location
Kalamata is located in Greece
Kalamata
Kalamata
Coordinates 37°2′N 22°7′E / 37.033°N 22.117°E / 37.033; 22.117Coordinates: 37°2′N 22°7′E / 37.033°N 22.117°E / 37.033; 22.117
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (min-max): 0 - 21 m (0 - 69 ft)
Government
Country: Greece
Periphery: Peloponnese
Prefecture: Messenia
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City
 - Population: 57,620
 - Area:[2] 253.2 km² (98 sq mi)
 - Density: 228 /km² (589 /sq mi)
Codes
Postal: 241 00
Telephone: 27210
Auto: KM
Website
www.kalamata.gr

Kalamata (Greek: Καλαμάτα Kalamáta, formerly Καλάμαι Kalámai) is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf. Located near the ancient city of Pharai mentioned by Homer, it lies 238 km SW of Athens, about 60 km SE of Kyparissia and GR-9, about 120 km SSE of Pyrgos, about 80 km SW of Tripoli, about 60 km W of Sparta, NW of Areopoli and about 8 km E of Messene, it is also 215 km south of Patras and 715 (old: 750) km south of Thessaloniki. The 2001 census recorded 57,620 inhabitants.

Kalamata is renowned as the land of the Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief; of succulent dark olives, honey-eyed figs and the honey-covered sesame sweet called pasteli. The city can be reached from other Greek cities by bus and train. Furthermore, the city has an international airport and an important harbour. Ferries are available to places such as the Greek islands of Kythira, and Crete .

The Messenian Gulf where Kalamata is located has various long beaches. The Taygetus mountain range is located about 4 km E of Kalamata and GR-82 Kalamata - Sparta highway runs through the ranges.

Olives and olive oil are important and famous products that are exported from Kalamata.

Kalamata has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office, and squares (plateia). The newly established University of Peloponnese has a campus in Kalamata, where the history, literature, religion and philosophy departments are located. The Kalamata campus of the university also provides free Greek lessons to expatriate Greeks.

Contents

[edit] Name

The name Kalamata may have something to do with the Greek kala ommata which means beautiful eyes. A Byzantine church near the city is devoted to the virgin of Kalomata. In any case there is a place with the name "Cala Mata"[1] in the island of Mallorca in Spain. Again in Sardinia Italy close to Cagliari there is a place called "Surcuri-Calamata"[2]. Obviously the origin of the name is Latin and has to do with the word "Cala" means a place to anchor and "Mata" a small plant.

[edit] Settlements

[edit] Municipal districts

[edit] History

Unlike many other Greek cities, Kalamata does not date to classical times. Messini, which is located elsewhere in Messinia, is an ancient site, however. From 1681 on the Venetians ruled Kalamata. On 23 March 1821, Kalamata was the first city to be liberated from the Turkish occupation of over 300 years, by the Greek rebel forces under the orders of generals Theodoros Kolokotronis, Petros Mavromichalis and Papaflessas. In 1825, Ibrahim Pasha destroyed the city during the Greek war of independence. After this, Kalamata was rebuilt and became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean sea. It is not surprising that the 2nd oldest Chamber of Commerce in the Mediterranean, after that of Marseille, exists in Kalamata. On 29 April 1941, a battle was fought near the port between invading German forces and the 2nd New Zealand Division, during which Jack Hinton was awarded the Victoria Cross. After World War II, and due to political issues, Kalamata, as well as most of the Peloponnese, was excluded from the government development plans, in favour of north Greece instead. That was a major brake on the local economy, resulting in the decline of the port and hence the city. During 70s and the 80s, development and growth in Kalamata were unknown, and only after the city suffered severe damage from the earthquakes of September 13 1986, the local authorities and individuals strained their financial resources to bring a wind of change to the forgotten capital of Messinia. Due to these efforts, Kalamata has now fully recovered and developed into a modern provincial capital, with all facilities and amenities, as well as one of the most modern hospitals in Greece. It is also the seat of the Metropolitan Bishop of Messinia. Current Metropolitan Bishop is Chrysostomus III since 15 March 2007.

Kalamata has been subjected to many trials and tribulations. It was under Frank occupation between 1205 and 1381, and within that period ruled by the French noble Villehardouin family (1210 to 1278) who built their castle there. Later occupied by the Turks from 1481 to 1685 like the rest of Greece, the city was next taken over by the Venetians in 1751. During the Venetian occupation the city was fortified, developed and thrived economically. However, the Turks reoccupied Kalamata in 1715 and controlled it until the Greek War of Independence of 1821 when Petrobeis Mavromihalis salvaged and liberated the city. Kalamata was again in the news and headlines on Thursday, September 13, 1986 as an earthquake measured at almost 6.6 on the Richter scale. Damages were rarely reported but it caused panic to the region.

Today, Kalamata has the second largest population and mercantile activity in Peloponnese. It makes important exports, particularly of local products such as raisins, olives and olive oil. Although the city experienced catastrophic consequences after the earthquake of 1986, it has overall recovered its pace and is forging ahead successfully from a commercial aspect.

There are numerous historical and cultural sights to see in Kalamata, such as the Villehardouin castle, the Ipapandis Byzantine church, the Kalograion monastery with its famous silk-weaving workshop where the beautiful Kalamata scarves are made, and the municipal railway park. Another great spot to visit is the church of Agion Apostolon where Mavromihalis declared the revolution. It’s also worth seeing the art collections housed at the Municipal Gallery, the Benaki Archaeological Museum and the Folk Art Museum.

[edit] Transportation

Kalamata railway station circa 1910
Kalamata railway station 2008

It is accessed by GR-7/E55/E65 in the west and GR-82 runs through Kalamata and into the Taygetus. The nearest motorway is now 35 km N. From the mid-1980s until 2002, it was 85 km SW in Tripoli. There is a road connecting within the coastline of Kalamata which is not far from the gulf and runs in the southern part of Kalamata.

Kalamata is served by a metre gauge railway line of Hellenic Railways Organization. There is a passenger train station and a small freight yard in the city, as well as a rolling stock maintenance depot. Currently there are mainline train services to Kyparissia, Pyrgos, Patras and Kiato and suburban services to Messini and the General Hospital. There are no passenger services to Corinth (Korinthos) via Tripolis and Argos, due to extensive track reconstruction work. There is a bus link (KTEL) to Tripolis, Korinthos and Athens with frequent services.

Since the mid-80s there is a regular weekly cruise-boat route between Kalamata - Kythira - Chania (Crete). In the summer months charter flights fly direct to Kalamata International Airport from many European cities.

[edit] Historical population

Year Communal population Change Municipal population Change Density
1981 42,075 - - -
1991 43,625 +1,550/+2.68% 50,693 - 200.20/km²
2001 61,373 +17,748/+177.0% 81,125 - 457.56/km²

[edit] Landmarks

[edit] Notable people

[edit] Sporting teams

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "PDF (875 KB) 2001 Census" (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΣΥΕ). www.statistics.gr. http://www.statistics.gr/gr_tables/S1101_SAP_1_TB_DC_01_03_Y.pdf PDF. Retrieved on 2007-10-30. 
  2. ^ (Greek) "Basic Characteristics". Ministry of the Interior. www.ypes.gr. http://www.ypes.gr/topiki.htm. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kalamata
Municipal districts of the city of Kalamata
Alagonia (Machala) | Antikalamos | Artemisia (Theotokos) | Asprochoma (Kalami | Katsikovo) | Elaiochori (Arachova | Diasella | Perivolakia) | Kalamata (Bournia | Koutala | Menina | Profitis Ilias) | Karveli (Agia Triada | Emialoi or Imiali | Kato Karveli) | Labena? | Lada (Agia Marina | Agios Vasileios) | Leika (Katsaraiika or Katsareika | Spitakia | Xerokampi) | Mikri Mantineia | Nedousa | Piges (Skouroullakos) | Sperchogeia | Valyra | Verga (Ano Verga | Kato Verga | Verga Beach (Paralia Vergas))
Greece | Peloponnese (region) | Messenia | Kalamata
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Municipalities and communities of the Messenia Prefecture
Municipalities
Aetos • Aipeia • Andania • Androusa • Arfara • Aris • Aristomenis • Avia • Avlona • Chiliochoria • Dorio • Eira • Filiatra • Gargalianoi • Ithomi • Kalamata • Koroni • Kyparissia • Lefktro • Meligalas • Messene • Methoni • Nestoras • Oichalia • Papaflessas • Petalidi • Pylos • Thouria • Voufrades
Communities
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Flag of Greece   Prefectural Capitals of Greece
Agios Nikolaos • Alexandroupoli • Amfissa • Argostoli • Arta • Athens • Chalcis • Chania • Chios • Corfu • Corinth • Drama • Edessa • Eleusina • Ermoupoli • Florina • Grevena • Heraklion • Igoumenitsa • Ioannina • Kalamata • Karditsa • Karpenisi • Kastoria • Katerini • Kavala • Kilkis • Komotini • Kozani • Lamia • Larissa • Lefkada • Livadeia • Messolonghi • Mytilene • Nafplion • Pallini • Patras • Piraeus • Polygyros • Preveza • Pyrgos • Rethymno • Rhodes • Serres • Sparta • Thessaloniki • Trikala • Tripoli • Vathy • Veria • Volos • Xanthi • Zakynthos
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