Kyparissia – Pylos: The 50 km route is covered in approximately 1 hour.
Pylos, the enchanting village in Messinia, Greece, is a destination that combines rich history with stunning natural beauty. From archaeological sites and mythical destinations to idyllic beaches and traditional architecture, Pylos is a source of inspiration for every visitor.
Pylos has a history that stretches back thousands of years. Famous for its participation in the Trojan War, Pylos was the seat of King Nestor and one of the most important ancient cultural centers of the time. The archaeological site of Pylos reveals impressive archaeological findings, such as the Palace of Nestor and the Vaulted Tomb of Pylos, which are testimonies of a bygone era.
Pylos is also known for its stunning natural beauty. Its beaches, such as Voidokoilia and Navarino, offer crystal clear waters and golden sand, creating a heavenly landscape for sea lovers. The Castle of Pylos, with its stunning panoramic views, offers an earthly experience that combines history with natural beauty. In addition, the surrounding areas are famous for their rich vegetation and impressive geology, which offer various opportunities for hiking and nature exploration.
Pylos maintains its traditional architecture, with stone houses, narrow streets and paved pedestrian streets. The architecture of the buildings reflects the tradition and history of the area, creating a unique atmospheric environment. The traditional taverns and cafes offer the opportunity to taste the local cuisine and enjoy the authentic hospitality of Messinia.
Pylos, historically known in the past also with the Venetian-Italian name as Navarino or Navarino, is a seaside town, which is administratively under the Municipality of Pylos – Nestoros and is located in the west of the Prefecture of Messinia, while until 2010, it was the seat of the municipality of the same name.
It is known for its rich ancient, medieval and modern history. It should be noted, however, that the first and oldest city of Pylos, Ancient Pylos, is not geographically identified with the current town, although the latter is both the honorary and the essential residential continuation of the former. Also, as far as ancient Pylos is concerned, it is identified, only partially, with various archaeological remains of palaces and other administrative and residential infrastructures in various other neighboring archaeological sites in the wider area of Pylia, but remains essentially unidentified, on the whole, according to the oldest and the modern experts-researchers. A typical reference point of the Mycenaean period of the ancient city is the Palace of Nestor, but also other palaces, such as those that have been discovered and excavated in nearby Iklaina.
Pylos is today the seat of the Municipality of Pylos – Nestoros, which belongs to the Regional Unit of Messinia. The modern town of Pylos is located in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, next to the shores of the Ionian. The port of Pylos is also an important shipping center of the western area of Messinia with an upward commercial and passenger/tourist development. Due to the narrow shape of the island of Sphaktiria which “closes” the Bay of Navarino, also known as the Bay of Pylos, and which acts as a natural breakwater, the Bay of Navarino and the port of Pylos is considered one of the safest anchorages in Mediterranean.
Pylos is located approximately 274 kilometers southwest of Athens (very easy to reach now), 211 kilometers south of Patras, 118 kilometers southwest of Tripoli and approximately 55.5 kilometers southwest of Kalamata. Near Pylos are the towns of Kyparissia, Filiatra, Gargaliani and Chora, while to its south and southeast are the towns of Methoni and Koroni. At close distances are Kynigos, Mesochori and Pidasos to its southeast, Kainourgio Chorio to its south at a distance of approximately 6.5 kilometers, Pyla and Iklaina to its northeast at distances of approximately 8 and 17 kilometers, to its north Gialova and Korifassio at distances of approximately 7.5 and 15 kilometers and to its northwest Petrochori, Romanos and Tragana at distances of approximately 15.5, 15 and 16 kilometers respectively.
According to mythology, the first and oldest city of Pylos was founded in southwestern Ancient Messinia by the mythical hero named Pylos or Pyla. Pylos, according to a first version, which refers to the work “Library of Apollodorus” (formerly attributed to Apollodorus, while today it is attributed to an unknown author referred to as Pseudo-Apollodorus) was the son of the god Ares and Demonike, daughter of Agenor and of Epicaste, granddaughter of Antinor and sister of Porthaon. Demoniki and Ares were the parents of Evinos, Pylos, Thestias and Molos. According to another version, which is mentioned by Pausanias, in his work “Ellados perigesisis – Messeniaka” (book 4, verses 36.1-36.2)[6] the named founder is identified with Pyla, who was king of the Megara, son of Klisona and grandson of Lelegas. Pylantas went to the Peloponnese at the head of a group of Lelegons and founded the first city of the same name, also known as Pylos of Messinia, and when Nileas later expelled him from it, Pylantas fled to Elis, where he also founded the second city of the same name, also known as Pylos of Elis. Pylia was Pylias’ daughter.
Pausanias also mentions that the city was also called Koryphasion, from the Cape Koryphasion (ἄkra Koryphasion), on which it was built.[6] Nearby there was also the temple of Koryphasia Athena (formerly the Koryphasio of Messinia).[7] The ancient Spartans, according to Thucydides, also referred to her as Coryphasion.
In honor of Nestor’s father Nileas, the city was also referred to as “Nilion”. Nileas was the son of Tire and the god Poseidon, twin brother of Pelias and half-brother of Aeson (son of Criteus and Tyre), Pheritas and Amythaon. Nileas and Pelias fought over the kingship of Iolkos. Pelias expelled Nileas, as well as Aeson, and became king in Iolkos in Thessaly, while Nileas fled to Messinia, where according to one version he was the one who founded Pylos. There he took as his wife Chlorida, daughter of Amphion and together they had a daughter, Piro, and many sons, including Taurus, Asterios, Pylaon, Deimachus, Eurybius, Periclemenus, the later wise king Nestor, etc. . The end of Niles came when Heracles campaigned against him on the grounds that Niles refused to cleanse him of the murder of Iphitus. Then Nileas was killed with 11 of his sons or, according to another tradition, he was rescued and died of some disease in Corinth where he had taken refuge, whereupon he was buried there. The descendants of Niles were called Nileids. The Nileids, driven out by the Heraklides, scattered to various places, in some of which they reigned. Chronologically they are classified at the end of the 12th century. BC, since their movement from Pylos to Athens dates back to 1104 BC.
