Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for destination: "METHONI Small town MESSINIA".
Methoni is at the southwest part of Messinia and is one of the most
historical cities of the Peloponnese. During the domination by the Eneti(1209-1500
and 1685-1715), it constituted the main commercial and naval centre of the East,
with Koroni, where you could find a boat to travel anywhere you wanted. Methoni
is the continuation of the homeric city Pegasos and, according to some, it got
its name from the Methona Litho (=stone) a rock in the sea, on which Bourtzi is
built as a part of its medieval castle.
From Methoni the Messinians, beaten by the Spartans at the end of
the Second Messinian war (640-610 B.C), immigrate to metapontio of Lower Italy
and consequently the Spartans brought settlers from Nafplio and put them in Methoni.
During the roman years (31 B.C - 330 A.D) it was a flourishing city,
while its greatest prosperity was met during the Middle Ages under the rule of
the Eneti from 1209 to 1500. In 1500 it was conquered by the Turks of the sultan
Vagiazit B’ who destroyed it completely. In the mid-16th century it was taken
over by the Maltan knights and later by Eneti (1686-1715). The second period of
turkish rule was from 1715 to 1828 when it was liberated by the army of the French
general Maizon.
Today, Methoni has excellent touristic infrastructure with hotels,
campsites and rooms to rent while in its tavernas you can enjoy an abundance of
fresh fish. The visitor can enjoy the sun and the sea on its golden beach with
its granular sand. One can also visit the medieval castle, the church of St. Onoufrios,
which is built in a cave 4 Km away from the city, as well as the catacombs on
the hill of St. Nikolaos 1 Km away from the city. During the first Monday of Lent
revives the custom of «the Marriage of Koutroulis» which dates back to the IE΄
century and it’s about two men who dress up as a bride and a bridegroom, go to
the central square and get married. There is a priest and a best man and, after
the marriage settlement is read in the presence of the crowd, there is a feast.
This text is cited March 2003 from the Messenia Prefecture Tourism Promotion Commission URL below, which contains image.
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