10 km from the centre of Kyparissia and towards Raches can be found the archaeological site of Peristeria which was inhabited during the Middle Helladic years, from the 20^th to the 17th century BC. Fragments of pottery and tools from the Neolithic Period, 4th millennium BC, show that the area had been inhabited even earlier. There are funerary monuments dating to the period of the 2nd millennium BC. These vaulted tombs are complex Mycenian structures.

     The most important historical places in the Kyparissian area

Kyparissia is less than 42 km from ancient Messina (Ithome) in Mavromati. From the 4th century BC an ancient road was constructed leading west to the Ionian Sea joining Messina with Kyparissia. In ancient Messina there are good examples of 4th century BC architecture. At the foot of the Mount Ithome there are important remains of ancient walls that surrounded the city and these are considered to be a unique 14th century BC example of this type of structure.

      Ancient Messina, Ithome, 4th century BC 

50 km away can be found the ancient Figaleia and the Doric temple of (Epikouriou) Apollo. This was created by the Parthenon's architect Iktino in around 421 BC.

  
(Epikouriou) Apollo                                                           Olympia

Kyparissia is 57 km from Ancient Olympia the birthplace of the Olympics. This is one the most important worldwide archaeological sites and it is considered to be the universal symbol of sportsmanship. Pylos 52 km from Kyparissia is a charming town built amphitheatrically around its harbour.

62 km from Kyparissia and 6 km south of the village of Chora Trifilias is found the Palace of Nestor. This was constructed in the 13th century BC and it remains one of the most important and best kept monuments of Mycenaean Greece.

 

Greece enjoys a rich heritage of Byzantine churches and architecture. In the village of Christianoi, a 20 km drive from Kyparissia through olive groves and vineyards that overlook the breathtaking Ionian Sea, an important temple of Middle Byzantine architecture 1100 AD -1204 AD is to be found. (During this period Constantinople was conquered for the first time by the Crusaders).