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Kalamata
A
beautiful seaside city of about 60,000 people in the south
of the Pelopennese.
Kalamata
(Greek,
Modern: Καλαμάτα, Ancient/Katharevousa: -ai), older forms:
Kalamai is a city in southern
Greece,
on the
Peloponnesos,
by the
Mediterranean.
It is the capital of the
Messinia
prefecture. It is located 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.
In 1991 the city had 44,052 inhabitants.
The city is
located west of
Sparta,
and can be reached from this and 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 island of
Kythira.
The
Gulf of Messinia
where Kalamata is located has various long beaches. The
Taygetus
is located about 4 km E of Kalamata and GR-82 Kalamata -
Sparta highway runs through the ranges.
Olives and olive
oil are important products that are exported from Kalamata.
Kalamata has
schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office, and
squares (plateia).
Kalamata
also has a soccer team which plays in the secondary
division. It is names
PAE Kalamata
- 3k
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamata
Capital and chief port of the Messinia prefecture is the
much-sung Kalamata, the land of the Kalamatianos dance and
the silk kerchief. The land of succulent black olives,
honeyed figs and the sesame-covered sweet called "pastelli".
The town is dominated by the 13th century castle above it
built by Geoffrey de Villehardouin. On the north side of the
citadel there is a small Byzantine church, dedicated to the
Virgin of Kalomata (of the good eye), from which the town
may have acquired its name. From the castle you can survey
the expanse of the sea below with its sandy and pebbly
shores or turn your gaze upon the deep green plain, the
"happy land" of the ancients.
The old city is spread out underneath the castle. Every
summer cultural events like concerts and plays put on by the
Kalamata theatre are held in the amphitheater of the castle.
In the evening, the town comes alive, especially along the
waterfront, which is lined with tavernas, seafood
restaurants and rotisseries serving local dishes and drinks,
fresh fish, roast suckling pig and chicken, sausages,
cheese, olives, retsina and raki. Kalamata has an
archaeological and folklore museum, a fine arts museum and a
library.
http://www.greecebyclick.com/regions/peloponnese/kalamata/index.cfm
Northeast of the beautiful Massyniakos Bay and spreading
over the two sides of the river Nedona, is built the much
sung about Kalamata, capital of the prefecture of Messinias.
The
mother of the "Kalamatiano dance", which is passed down from
generation to generation, passing on its culture through its
dances and expressions. Beautiful and full of life, it
greets the visitor and offers him excellence, due to its
exceptional infrastructure. Kalamata owes its name to the
beautiful eyes of the Virgin Mary, which was discovered in a
Byzantine temple to the north of the castle. In 1715 it was
occupied by the Turks, to be liberated later by Kolokotroni
with his brother Mavromichali. Its splendid castle was built
in 1203 by Bilardouino III in order to withstand the sea
with its sandy and pebbled beaches on one side and the
fertile plain on the other.
Full of splendid mansions, it calls its
visitors to the cultural centre, the Art Gallery, the
Conservatory, the Public Library and the Town hall. It is
worth a visit to the church of St. Apostle, the Ipapantis,
the Monastery of Dimiovas, the tower of Koumoundourou, as
well as the Archaeological and Folklore Museum.
There
are four camping sites, many hotels and rooms to rent, which
are available to the visitor, whilst all the beaches,
excellently organized with extremely clean water, have been
awarded the European Blue Flag. Sailing lovers can go to the
sailing club of Kalamata, while the national swimming pool
offers swimming lessons.
Both the beach and town offer varied entertainment and
provide a wide selection for dining, coffee and nightlife.
The
local specialties of Kalamata, which stand out and are worth
trying are eel pie, prawn salad with artichokes, special
baked aubergines and fried cheese with oats. Naturally, you
will buy the best olives in the world from Kalamata, the
finest olive oil, dried figs and raisins. Sweet, like its "pasteli",
the beautiful town of Kalamata doesnt wave to you as you
leave it. It awaits your return.
http://www.choosegreece.com/menu.asp?id=17&item=4
Vacancies in
Kalamata
kalamata01
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