Methoni Castle

About the museum

The castle of Methoni occupies the entire Agios Nikolaos peninsula, and its fortifications reach down to the sea, which surrounds it on three sides. None of the 93 stremmata of the peninsula was left unused. Where it joins mainland Messenia, the Venetians, who are mainly responsible for the medieval fortifications seen today, dug an impressive dry moat; the only access to the main gate was a stone bridge with 14 arches.

The central gate, a monumental work in the Renaissance style, survives in excellent condition and resembles a theatre set. Directly in front of it, a narrow sea passage leads to the tiny Bourtzi, an octagonal tower where the garrison lived that controlled the entrance to the natural harbour.

During the period of Venetian rule, Methoni was an obligatory stop for all Venetian ships of the eastern Mediterranean, and it became a known trading centre and an intermediate stop for pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. Its prosperity ended in August 1500, when the town was taken by the Ottomans after a bloody siege. The castle was handed over to the Greeks in 1828; with the creation of the Greek state the town was moved outside the walls and the castle was abandoned.

Highlights

• The bridge with 14 arches over the dry moat
• The central gate in Renaissance style
• The Bourtzi, an octagonal tower in the sea
• Fortifications surrounding the entire peninsula

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Μεσσηνίας

Admission & discounts

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 accessibility facilities for visitors with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

On foot: about 7 minutes from the centre of the settlement of Methoni. By car: about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kalamata.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café/restaurant, shop, toilets and a car park on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit