Methoni is located on the southwestern tip of Messinia and is identified as the Homeric town of Pidasos; thus it was fortified and has been of significance ever since ancient times. Its geographical location, on the sea routes from the West to the East, also settled its fate. It was a strategic location for the Romans, a base for the Byzantines, as well as an important commercial station during the Venetian rule. This is when the town was flourishing, fortified with a powerful castle, becoming an important intermediate station between Venice and the Holy Land, something that was depicted in engravings and maps of the time.
The Ottomans claimed it many times and conquered it, but it was finally liberated in 1828. Today, the Fortress of Methoni is one of the most imposing in Greece, with impressive bastions, gates, walls and remnants from earlier buildings. On a small islet there is also a sea tower, known as Bourtzi. The lovely small town with its neoclassical buildings, approximately 1,000 residents and its incredible beaches, also boasts a unique island cluster. The Messinian Oinousses consists of the unique islets of Sapientza, Schiza, Agia Mariani, Venetiko, Dyo Aderfia, Mpompa and Avgo. All of them are included in the European Network Natura 2000, for their unique flora and fauna, but also for their incredible natural beauty.
Methoni, at the southwestern edge of Messinia, identified with the Homeric Pedasus, was a fortified and important city already since ancient times. The fortress of Methoni, easily accessible, is today one of the most imposing ones in Greece and still preserves impressive bastions, gates, walls, ruins of various buildings and on a small islet a sea tower, the much-photographed Bourtzi.
The beautiful small town outside the walls, which was designed by the engineers of the French Expeditionary Force of the French General Maison after the Naval Battle of Navarino (1827), retains neoclassical houses, has 1,000 inhabitants and with the beauties surrounding it by sea and its tourist facilities it offers the opportunity of a great vacation. In the horizon we can make out the island complex –and important habitat– that includes Sapienza, Schiza and Aghia Mariani. Sea excursions, swimming and nice taverns are only a few of the best things the area has to offer.
Methoni’s location, on the searoad from the West to the East, also determined its fate. A strategic location for the Romans, a base for the Byzantines and mainly an important trade centre during the Venetian Rule, the city flourished during that time, was fortified with a strong fortress, became an important stop between Venice and the Holy Land, was depicted in engravings and maps of that time and was many times claimed by the Ottomans, who captured it, but it was finally liberated in 1828.
From Methoni the visitor can set out to visit the many interesting sites with which the Messinian land abounds. The beautiful Pylos, a few kilometres to the north, with Niokastro, the beautiful view to the bay of Navarino and the fish taverns. The unique beach of Voidokilia, with the wetland of Gialova, Paleokastro and a little to the north the famous palace of the Homeric Nestor. To the east, toward the coast and the spreading beach of Finikounda and the other “eye of Venice”, as the beautiful castle and the even more beautiful settlement of Koroni used to be called, along with Methoni.
