Nestor's Palace
The best-preserved Mycenaean palace, on the hill of Ano Englianos near Chora in Messenia, with the well-known bathtub and hearth.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Palace of Nestor is one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces discovered to date. It is not a simple building but an entire complex that reflects the palatial system of administration and economy of its time.
The imposing palace, the main residence of the king, was surrounded by storerooms, bathrooms, vestibules and workshops, where, among other things, the production of aromatic oils flourished. The complex consisted of four main buildings with 105 rooms on the ground floor. Built of wood and mudbrick, it was destroyed by fire around 1200 BC, only a century after its construction.
Today only the stone foundations survive, but characteristic elements are preserved, such as the decorated clay bathtub and the circular hearth in the throne room. The rich and colourful decoration of the walls and floors reinforced the image of prosperity around the mythical king Nestor, who, according to Homer, led the Pylians to the Trojan War with 90 ships.
Highlights
- The best-preserved Mycenaean palace
- The decorated clay bathtub
- The circular hearth in the throne room
- Storerooms, baths and workshops for aromatic oils
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Μεσσηνίας
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Citizens of the European Union over 65 years of age from 1 October to 31 May, on presentation of ID card or passport; accompanying parents and teachers on school educational visits, and other categories defined by the Ministry of Culture. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free admission and reduced tickets are available to certain categories of visitors, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Culture.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site has facilities for visitors with disabilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
By car: about 6 minutes from Chora in Messenia and about 1 hour from Kalamata.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
Café/restaurant, toilets and a car park on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
