An old fort is so called signature place of Kalamata. The building of the fort is connected with economic rise and development of this place. Rich history couldn’t have failed to make its impact on the culture of this place. In 1715 Kalamata was conquered by the Turkish aggressors and after this Turks ruled the town for over than a hundred years. Some buildings and districts of the town still remind of those uneasy times. In 1821 Kalamata was freed and in the beginning of the 19th century started the building of a port that became an important factor in success and prosperity of the town. Today this port is the second largest port in Peloponnesus.
It’s time to return to cultural and historical heritage and here we simply cannot fail to mention a beautiful Church of Saint Apostles that was built in the 5th century. Nearby the church is located a railway park – the biggest park in the city. Benakis Museum features a collection of historical artifacts found during the excavations. The Municipal Gallery and Gallery of Modern Greek Art will show you collections of art created by local painters and sculptures.
One of the main holidays of Kalamata is the International Dance Festival. In the town are opened several internationally famous dancing schools, which students traditionally participate in the festival. Tourists, who visit Kalamata during the festival, will enjoy this fascinating event and find real pleasure in watching performances of participants.
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