Peloponnese - Greece - page 320

( 27240 51201; www.ancientmessene.gr ; museum & site €5; 8am-sunset) The best views
of this beautiful site are from the village central square, and it's worth briefly examining
the layout before heading down for a closer look at the site itself. Access is by a road
near the museum, about 300m northwest of the square.
The museum (adult €2; 8.30am-4pm Tue-Sun, later in summer) , situated above the site
on the village road, houses a small and interesting collection of finds from Ancient
Messini, mainly statues recovered from the asklepion (ancient medical complex). They
include two statues assumed to be of Machaon and Podaleiros, the sons of Asclepius.
They are thought to be the work of the sculptor Damophon, who specialised in oversized
statues of gods and heroes and was responsible for many of the statues that once adorned
Ancient Messini.
Before heading down to the site, it's worth continuing another 800m along the road
past the museum to view the celebrated Arcadian Gate . This unusual circular gate
guarded the ancient route to Megalopoli - now the modern road north to Meligalas and
Zerbisia - which runs through the gate. Running uphill from the gate is the finest surviv-
ing section of the mighty defensive wall built by Epaminondas. It remains impressive,
studded with small, square forts, and is well worth the gentle uphill walk from the vil-
lage.
The site itself is still emerging from the valley floor as ongoing, thorough excavations
are taking place. At the time of research, these included the impressive agora (market-
place) and the stunning amphitheatre , part of which was being reconstructed for con-
temporary use - keep an ear open for forthcoming performances.
Elsewhere, the asklepion complex lay at the heart of the ancient city. This extensive
complex was centred on a Doric temple that once housed a golden statue of Ithomi. The
modern awning west of the temple protects the artemision , where fragments of an
enormous statue of Artemis Orthia were found. The structures to the east of the asklepion
include the ekklesiasterion , which once acted as an assembly hall. Two amphitheatres
provide an evocative glimpse into the site.
Don't miss heading further downhill from the asklepion to the wonderfully imposing
stadium , which is surrounded by the ruins of an enormous gymnasium .
You can buy entry tickets at both the site and the museum.
Sleeping & Eating
Likourgos Rooms GUESTHOUSE $