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Kyparissia Trifylia's provincial capital, in the prefecture of Messinia, is a town of 7,500 residents and it is located near the south western Peloponnesos gulf of the Ionian Sea. The Gulf begins in the south at Filiatra beach in the prefecture of Messinia and ends in the north Ilia prefecture at Cape Katakolon. To the north of Kyparissia’s harbour the coast line is smooth and without rocks and bays. This region has several ponds and lagoons, including the famous Kaiafas spa.
There are also drained lagoons near Agoulinitsa and Mourias. These have gradually become more isolated as materials have been deposited by the sea. At Kyparissia, Memi, Kalo Nero, Agrilos-Stomio and Elaia there are sandy beaches and these are considered to be as good as those to be found on Zakynthos. The sea turtle Caretta-Caretta breeds locally and is protected on our coastline.
 
Kyparissia in Kyparissian Bay Kyparissia from the air...
Mountains dominate the area between Kyparissia, Filiatra and Meligala. The highest peak in this range is Santa Barbara at 1,218 metres followed by the Prophet Elias 1151 at metres.
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Kyparissia from the castle, controlling the Ionian Sea
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Kyparissia is an ancient prehistoric coastal town of unique beauty. In the past it had some importance, being near to the ancient Olympia and Pylos. Kyparrisia has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC. Shells and tools of the Middle Helladic (Mesoelladiki) and Late Helladic (Ysteroelladiki) era have been found here. From the Iliad of Homer we know that Kyparissia belonged to the kingdom of Nestor which participated in the Trojan War. During the Roman times it reached a high peak of development and minted its own coins and throughout the Byzantine period the city of Kyparissia was called Arcadia due to the high number of Arcadians who lived here. At this time it enjoyed significant economic growth.
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After the conquest of Constantinople by the Franks, during the 4th Crusade in 1204, Kyparissia became one of the twelve baronies of the Peloponnesos. In 1432 Kyparrisia passed again into Byzantine hands and in 1460 it found itself under the occupation of Turkey. At the end of the 17th century and during a war between the Venetians and Turks the Venetian fleet captured Kyparissia (July 1686). Kyparissia remained under the sovereignty of Venice until 1715. During the Venetian occupation the city was substantially redeveloped and this continued up until the 18th century. Due to its commercial importance Kyparissia became the provincial capital of Messinia and one of the major cities of Peloponnesos. At this time it enjoyed a population of 5,000 people including French, Venetians and later in 1741 the English.
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Large quantities of olive oil and silk were transported from the interior of the Peloponnesos and were exported from Kyparissia's port. During the 1821 Revolution Kyparissia's contribution to Greece was especially important and in May 1825 when the Egyptian army of Ibrahim occupied the city, residents who could not flee were massacred. After the city was released from occupation in 1833 Kyparissia became the capital of the Prefecture of Messinia. From 1835 Kalamata became the capital of the prefecture.
Kyparissia's Castle is a vivid testimony to the historical eras that have come and past. The castle dominates the Old Town and it has a unique view of the Ionian Sea. From there you are able to view fantastic sunsets and allow your mind to drift softly through time.
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Kyparissia Bay at sunset. Kyparissia and bay after sunset.
Look here our video about the history of Kyparissia:
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