Welcome to Kyparissia...

Kyparissia is situated 245 km south to southwest from Athens. Is a coastal town amphitheatrically built at the foot of Mount “Aigaleo” and is the capital of the province of Trifylia in Messinia. Kyparissia got its name – according to the myth - from Goddess “Athena” – also known by the name “Kyparissia”- who was worshipped widely in the region. Others say that because of the many Cypresses (Greek=Kyparisia) in the area the inhabitants decided to name the city Kyparissia. Within the city stands out the “Ano Poli” (=the upper city) with beautiful traditional houses and cobbled pavements. There you can find the ruins of a Venetian castle, wherefrom the view is incredible. In the upper Town is also located the Folklore Museum of Kyparissia.

In the past…

The first historical reference to Kyparissia is from Homer's Iliad, where it is written that Kyparissia, a town commanded by King “Nestoras”, participated in the Trojan War by offering manned triremes. Homer references to Kyparissia as one of the cities of Peloponnese, which contributed to the war against Troy by offering ships. Remarkable archaeological discoveries not only in the city and the wider area, are showing its residential grow and its significant evolution, from the Mycenaean to the Roman era. The absence of monuments during the Byzantine period indicates a certain decline, while during this period the city was renamed in “Arkadia”. Following the fate of the rest of Peloponnese, the city surrendered first to Franks, until the final subjugation to the Turks in the year 459. Kyparissia participated in the revolution of 1821, with many soldiers and suffered, during the so-called "battle of Kargioutas”, a great disaster when Ibrahim's Army burned down the city in May 1825.

Nowadays…

Kyparissia has nowadays all the comforts of a modern city. It is a rural and commercial center. The city is divided in the old (Upper) Town - which has been declared a preserved traditional settlement - and the New (or Lower) Town, a newly built area extended up to the coast. In the Upper Town there are many scattered historical monuments that witness the history of the city, such as the Castle of Arcadia, the Arcadia square with the plane-tree and the Fountains, the public baths (ham am), its cobbled pavements etc. The Lower Town is a modern city with just a few traditional elements. It has rich vegetation, while a big part of the arable land of the municipality is covered by olive trees, but large areas are also planted with vegetables, potatoes, melons and citrus. Kyparissia has also beautiful sandy beaches, some of which are equipped with sun beds and canteens while others are located in creeks, offering more quiet conditions. The really excellent tourist infrastructure in combination to the natural beauty of the surrounding area, guarantee a pleasant stay for every guest.