View source for Kalamata

{{short description|City on the Peloponnese in southern Greece}}
{{about|the city|the olive|Kalamata olive|other uses|Kalamata (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name               = Kalamata
|name_local         = Καλαμάτα
|type = municipality
|image_map          = 2011 Dimos Kalamatas.png
|image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 |perrow             = 1/2/2/2
 |border             = infobox
 |total_width        = 300
|image1             = Kalamata, Peloponnese, Greece.jpg 
|image2             = Kalamata Burg.jpg
|image3             = Agios Ioannis - Kalamata - 01.jpg
|image4             = Apostelkirche Kalamata.jpg
|image5             = ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΛΑΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟΥ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ.jpg
|image6             = ΒΟΡΕΙΟΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΜΠΕΝΑΚΕΙΟΥ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΥ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΥ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑΣ.jpg
|image7             = ΝΟΤΙΟΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΔΗΜΑΡΧΕΙΟΥ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑΣ.jpg
|color              = white
}}
|caption_skyline    = '''Clockwise from top right:''' Promenade of Kalamata, Saint John Church, Kyriakou Folklore Museum, Kalamata City Hall, [[Archaeological Museum of Messenia]], Church of the Holy Apostles, [[Kalamata Castle]]
|city_flag          =
|city_seal          = ΕΜΒΛΗΜΑ ΔΗΜΟΥ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑΣ.jpg
|coordinates        = {{coord|37|02|16|N|22|06|40|E|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_min      = 0
|elevation_max      = 21
|periph             = [[Peloponnese (region)|Peloponnese]]
|periphunit         = [[Messenia]]
|pop_municipality   = 72906
|area_municipality  = 440.3
|pop_municunit      = 66135
|area_municunit     = 253.3
|pop_community      = 58816
|population_as_of   = 2021
|districts          =
|mayor              = Athanasios Vasilopoulos<ref name=mayor>[https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/d/home/en/municipalities/9254/ Municipality of Kalamata, Municipal elections – October 2023] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508160801/https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/d/home/en/municipalities/9254/ |date=8 May 2024 }}, Ministry of Interior</ref>
|party              = 
|since              = 2019
|postal_code        = 241 00
|area_code          = 27210
|licence            = KM
|website            = {{URL|www.kalamata.gr}}
}}
'''Kalamata''' ({{langx|el|Καλαμάτα}} {{IPA|el|kalaˈmata|}}) is the second most populous city of the [[Peloponnese]] peninsula in southern [[Greece]] after [[Patras]], and the largest city of the [[Peloponnese (region)|homonymous administrative region]]. As the capital and chief port of the [[Messenia]] regional unit, it lies along the [[Nedonas|Nedon River]] at the head of the [[Messenian Gulf]].<ref>For a detailed introduction to various aspects of the city, see the [https://www.kalamata.gr/oldsite/images/guidekal/en/index.html Kalamata Municipality’s online guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618103700/https://www.kalamata.gr/oldsite/images/guidekal/en/index.html |date=18 June 2024 }} (undated)(retrieved 18/06/2024).</ref>  

The 2021 census recorded 72,906 inhabitants for the wider Kalamata Municipality, of which 66,135 resided in the municipal unit of Kalamata, and 58,816 in the city proper.<ref name=census21/> Kalamata is renowned as the land of the [[Kalamatianos]] dance, [[Kalamata olive]]s and Kalamata olive oil.

==Name==
The modern name ''Kalamáta'' likely comes from {{langx|grc-x-medieval|text=Παναγία η Καλαμάτα|translit=Panagía i Kalamáta|translation=Virgin Mary with beautiful eyes|label=none}}; another hypothesis is a corruption of the older name {{langx|grc|text=Καλάμαι|translit=Kalámai|translation=[[Reed (plant)|reeds]]|label=none}}.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first1=Amalia|editor-last1=Kolonia|editor-first2=Massimo|editor-last2=Peri|chapter=Gli scambi linguistici fra Italia e Grecia|title=Greco antico neogreco e italiano|language=it,el|location=Bologna|publisher=Zanichelli|year=2008|page=95|isbn=978-88-08-06429-5}}</ref>
==Administration==
The [[Municipalities of Greece|municipality]] Kalamata was formed as part of the [[Kallikratis Plan|2011 local government reform]] by the merger of the following four former municipalities, each of which subsequently became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]|access-date=7 September 2021|archive-date=18 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718094132/http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Arfara]]
* [[Aris, Messenia|Aris]]
* Kalamata
* [[Thouria, Messenia|Thouria]]

The municipality has an area of {{Convert|440|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}, the area of the municipal unit is {{Convert|253|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archive-date=21 September 2015 }}</ref>

===Subdivisions===
The municipal unit of Kalamata is subdivided into the following communities (population according to the 2021 census, settlements within the community listed):<ref name=census21/>

Municipal Unit:

* Kalamata (population: 66,135)

Local communities:

* Kalamata city proper (population 58,816)
* [[Alagonia]] (population: 154; Alagonia, Machalas)
* [[Antikalamos]] (population: 390; Antikalamos, Goulismata)
* [[Artemisia, Messenia|Artemisia]] (population: 88; Agios Ioannis Theologos, Artemisia, Theotokos)
* [[Asprochoma, Messenia|Asprochoma]] (population: 1,244; Akovitika, Asprochoma, Kagkareika, Kalami, Katsikovo, Lagkada-Dimitrakopouleika)
* [[Verga, Messenia|Verga]] (population: 2,125; Paralia Vergas, Ano Verga, Kato Verga )
* [[Elaiochori, Messenia|Elaiochori]] (population: 243; Arachova, Dendra, Diasella, Elaiochori, Moni Dimiovis, Perivolakia)
* [[Karveli]] (population: 74; Agia Triada, Emialoi, Karveli, Kato Karveli)
* [[Ladas, Messenia|Ladas]] (population: 102; Agia Marina, Agios Vasileios, Ladas, Silimpoves-Agios Vasilis)
* [[Laiika]] (population: 1,449; Laiika, Katsaraiika, Spitakia, Xerokampi)
* [[Mikri Mantineia]] (population: 615; Alimoneika, Mikra Mantineia, Zouzouleika)
* [[Nedousa]] (population: 86)
* [[Piges, Messenia|Piges]] (population: 71; Piges, Skourolakkos)
* [[Sperchogeia]] (population: 678)

===Province===
The province of Kalamata ({{langx|el|Επαρχία Καλαμών}}) was one of the [[provinces of Greece|provinces]] of the Messenia Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Kalamata and [[West Mani]].<ref name=census91>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00086.pdf |title=Detailed census results 1991 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183824/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00086.pdf |archive-date= 3 March 2016 }}&nbsp;{{small|(39&nbsp;MB)}} {{in lang|el|fr}}</ref> It was abolished in 2006.

==History==
[[File:Kalamata Burg.jpg|thumb|View of the Kalamata Castle]]
Kalamata occupies the site of an ancient city, the identity of which has been disputed. The name clearly refers to ancient [[Calamae]], but it has been established in the 20th century that the actual site is that of ancient [[Pharae (Messenia)|Pharae]],<ref name= "ODB">{{ODB | last = Gregory | first = Timothy E. | title = Kalamata | page = 1091 }}</ref><ref>{{La Morée franque | pages=408, 666 (note 4)}}</ref> a city already mentioned by [[Homer]]. It was long believed that the area that the city presently occupies was covered by the sea during ancient times, but the proto-Greek and [[Archaic Greece|Archaic-period]] remains (Temple of Poseidon) that were unearthed at Akovitika region prove otherwise.

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Apostelkirche Kalamata.jpg|thumb|The Byzantine-era Church of the Holy Apostles]]
Pharae was rather unimportant in antiquity, and the site continued in obscurity until middle Byzantine times.<ref name= "ODB"/> Kalamata is first mentioned in the 10th-century ''Life of St. [[Nikon the Metanoeite]]'' with its modern name.<ref name= "ODB"/><ref>{{La Morée franque | page=408}}</ref> Medieval Kalamata was not a port, as the local coast offered no shelter to ships from the weather, but lay further inland, at the foot of the western outliers of [[Mount Taygetos]].<ref>{{La Morée franque | pages=408–409}}</ref> As the capital of the fertile Messenian plain,<ref>{{La Morée franque | page=409}}</ref> the town experienced a period of prosperity in the 11th–12th centuries, as attested by the five surviving churches built in this period, including the Church of the Holy Apostles, as well as the comments of the Arab geographer [[al-Idrisi]], who calls it a "large and populous" town.<ref name= "ODB">{{ODB | last = Gregory | first = Timothy E. | title = Kalamata | page = 1091 }}</ref> 

Following the [[Fourth Crusade]], Kalamata was conquered by [[Frankokratia|Frankish]] feudal lords [[William of Champlitte]] and [[Geoffrey I of Villehardouin|Geoffrey of Villehardouin]] in 1205, when its Byzantine fortress was apparently in so bad a state that it could not be defended against them. Thus, the town became part of the [[Principality of Achaea]], and after Champlitte granted its possession to Geoffrey of Villehardouin, the town was the center of the Villehardouins' patrimony in the Principality. Prince [[William II of Villehardouin]] was born and died there.<ref name= "ODB"/><ref name="BonKalamata">{{La Morée franque | pages=409–410}}</ref> After William II's death in 1278, Kalamata remained in the hands of his widow, [[Anna Komnene Doukaina]], but when she remarried to [[Nicholas II of Saint Omer]], King [[Charles of Anjou]] was loath to see this important castle in the hands of a vassal, and in 1282 Anna exchanged it with lands elsewhere in Messenia.<ref name="BonKalamata"/>

In 1292 or 1293, two local [[Melingoi|Melingoi Slavic]] captains managed to capture the castle of Kalamata by a ruse and, aided by 600 of their fellow villagers, took over the entire lower town as well in the name of the Byzantine emperor, [[Andronikos II Palaiologos]]. Constable [[John Chauderon]] in vain tried to secure their surrender, and was sent to Constantinople, where Andronikos agreed to hand the town over, but then immediately ordered his governor in [[Mystras]] not to do so. In the event, the town was recovered by the Franks through the intercession of a local Greek, a certain Sgouromalles.<ref name="BonKalamata168">{{La Morée franque | page=168}}</ref> In 1298, the town formed the dowry of Princess [[Matilda of Hainaut]] upon her marriage to [[Guy II de la Roche]]. Matilda retained Kalamata as her fief until 1322, when she was dispossessed and the territory reverted to the princely domain.<ref name="BonKalamata"/> In 1358, Prince [[Robert, Prince of Taranto|Robert]] gifted the ''[[châtelain|châtellenie]]'' of Kalamata (comprising also [[Port-de-Jonc]] and [[Mani Peninsula|Mani]]) to his wife, [[Marie de Bourbon, Princess of Achaea|Marie de Bourbon]], who kept it until her death in 1377.<ref name="BonKalamata"/> The town remained one of the largest in the Morea—a 1391 document places it, with 300 hearths, on par with [[Glarentza]]—but it nevertheless declined in importance throughout the 14th and 15th centuries in favour of other nearby sites like [[Androusa]]. Kalamata remained in Frankish hands until near the end of the Principality of Achaea, coming under the control of the Byzantine [[Despotate of the Morea]] only in 1428.<ref name="BonKalamata"/>

=== Ottoman period and War of Independence ===
[[File:Calamata - Sandrart Jacob Von - 1686.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Engraving of Kalamata, 1686]]
Kalamata was occupied by the Ottomans in 1481.{{cn|date=July 2024}} In 1659, during the [[Cretan War (1645–1669)|long war]] between Ottomans and [[Venetian Republic|Venetians]] over [[Crete]], the Venetian commander [[Francesco Morosini]], captured Kalamata in an effort to divert Ottoman attention from the [[Siege of Candia]], and raise a wider revolt. The Venetian fleet [[Capture of Kalamata (1659)|took Kalamata]] without effort, as the Ottomans abandoned the town. The town and its castle were plundered and destroyed, and all able-bodied men were carried off to serve as rowers in the Venetian galleys.<ref>{{cite book | last = Andrews | first = Kevin | title = Castles of the Morea | location = Amsterdam | publisher = Adolf M. Hakkert | year = 1978 | origyear = 1953 | isbn = 90-256-0794-2 | page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last= Finlay | first= George | author-link= George Finlay | title= A History of Greece from its Conquest by the Romans to the Present Time, B.C. 146 to A.D. 1864, Vol. V: Greece under Othoman and Venetian Domination A.D. 1453–1821 | year= 1877 | publisher= Clarendon Press | location= Oxford | url= https://archive.org/details/ahistorygreecef05finlgoog | page = 177}}</ref> Morosini returned in 1685, at the start of the [[Morean War]]: on 14 September 1685 the Venetians [[Battle of Kalamata (1685)|defeated]] an Ottoman army before Kalamata, and again plundered and destroyed the town's castle, as it was judged obsolete.<ref>{{cite book | last = Andrews | first = Kevin | title = Castles of the Morea | location = Amsterdam | publisher = Adolf M. Hakkert | year = 1978 | origyear = 1953 | isbn = 90-256-0794-2 | page=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last= Finlay | first= George | author-link= George Finlay | title= A History of Greece from its Conquest by the Romans to the Present Time, B.C. 146 to A.D. 1864, Vol. V: Greece under Othoman and Venetian Domination A.D. 1453–1821 | year= 1877 | publisher= Clarendon Press | location= Oxford | url= https://archive.org/details/ahistorygreecef05finlgoog | pages = 177–178}}</ref> Kalamata was then ruled by Venice as part of the "[[Kingdom of the Morea]]" ({{langx|it|Regno di Morea}}). During the Venetian occupation the city was developed and thrived economically. However, the Ottomans reoccupied Kalamata in the [[Ottoman reconquest of the Morea|war of 1715]] and controlled it until the [[Greek War of Independence]].

[[File:Petrompeis by Hess.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''[[Petros Mavromichalis]] raises Messenia in revolt'', by [[Peter von Hess]]]]
Kalamata was the first city to be liberated as the Greeks rose in the [[Greek War of Independence]]. On 23 March 1821, it was taken over by the Greek [[Rebellion|revolutionary]] forces under the command of generals [[Theodoros Kolokotronis]], [[Petros Mavromichalis]] and [[Papaflessas]]. However, in 1825, the invading Ottoman officer [[Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt|Ibrahim Pasha]] destroyed the city.

=== Modern period ===
[[File:Asia Minor monument, Kalamata.jpg|thumb|Monument to Greek Asia Minor|left]]
[[File:ΝΟΤΙΟΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΔΗΜΑΡΧΕΙΟΥ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑΣ.jpg|thumb|The city hall]]
[[File:ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΛΑΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟΥ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ.jpg|thumb|Folklore museum (Kyriakou mansion)]]
[[File:ΒΟΡΕΙΟΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΣΟΨΗ ΜΠΕΝΑΚΕΙΟΥ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟΥ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΥ ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑΣ.jpg|thumb|160px|The archaeological museum]]

In independent Greece, Kalamata was rebuilt and became one of the most important ports in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. It is not surprising that the second-oldest [[Chamber of Commerce]] in the Mediterranean, after that of [[Marseille]], exists in Kalamata. In 1934, a large [[Kalamata dock workers' strike|strike of harbor workers]] occurred in Kalamata. The strike was violently suppressed by the government, resulting in the death of five workers and two other residents of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Μπιτσάνης |first=Ηλίας |title=80 χρόνια από την εξέγερση των λιμενεργατών Καλαμάτας |url=https://eleftheriaonline.gr/local/koinonia/item/37275-limenergates-kalamata |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ Online |language=el-gr |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209122031/https://eleftheriaonline.gr/local/koinonia/item/37275-limenergates-kalamata |url-status=live }}</ref>

During [[Military history of Greece during World War II|World War II]] on 29 April 1941, a battle was fought near the port between the invading [[Wehrmacht|German forces]] and the [[2nd New Zealand Division]], for which [[Jack Hinton]] was later awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]. Kalamata was liberated on 9 September 1944, after [[Battle of Kalamata (1944)|a battle]] between [[ELAS]] and the [[Security Battalions|local Nazi collaborators]].

Kalamata was again in the news on 13 September 1986, when it was hit by an [[1986 Kalamata earthquake|earthquake that measured 6.2]] on the [[surface wave magnitude]] scale. It was described as "moderately strong" but caused heavy damage throughout the city, killed 20 people and injured 330 others.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1193/1.1585434 | volume=3 | issue=2 | title=The Kalamata, Greece, Earthquake of September 13, 1986 | journal=Earthquake Spectra | pages=365–402| year=1987 | last1=Anagnostopolous | first1=S. A. | last2=Rinaldis | first2=D. | last3=Lekidis | first3=V. A. | last4=Margaris | first4=V. N. | last5=Theodulidis | first5=N. P. | bibcode=1987EarSp...3..365A | s2cid=128902740 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131839179 |title=GREECE Kalamata now tent city |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=61 |issue=18,614 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=18 September 1986 |access-date=24 February 2017 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711011219/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131839179 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tct6118611>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131838647 |title=World news: Earthquake in south Greece kills ten |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=61 |issue=18,611 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=15 September 1986 |access-date=24 February 2017 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711011219/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131838647 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131838812 |title=More tremors in Greek town |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=61 |issue=18,612 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=16 September 1986 |access-date=24 February 2017 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711011223/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131838812 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Kalamata has developed into a modern provincial capital and has returned to growth in recent years. Today, Kalamata has the second largest population and mercantile activity in Peloponnese. It makes important exports, particularly of local products such as raisins, olives and olive oil. It is also the seat of the [[Metropolitan Bishop]] of [[Messenia]]. The current Metropolitan Bishop is [[Chrysostomus III of Kalamata]], since 15 March 2007.

==Sights==
[[File:Kalamata from Castle (7'700x2'000px) - panoramio.jpg|thumb|center|570px|View from the castle]]
[[File:The old city of Kalamata, Greece - panoramio.jpg|thumb|200px|View of the old town]]
[[File:Agios Ioannis - Kalamata - 01.jpg|thumb|200px|Agios Ioannis (St. John) church]]
[[File:12 NewKarelia-retouched-final300.tif|thumb|200px|[[Karelia Tobacco Company]] factory]]
Maria Callas Alumni Association of the Music School of Kalamata / "Maria Callas Museum"

There are numerous historical and cultural sights in Kalamata, such as the Villehardouin castle, the Ypapanti Byzantine church, the Kalograion monastery with its silk-weaving workshop where the Kalamata scarves are made, and the municipal railway park. The Church of the Holy Apostles is where [[Petrobey Mavromichalis|Mavromichalis]] declared the revolt against Ottoman rule in 1821. Art collections are housed at the Municipal Gallery, the [[Archaeological Museum of Messenia]] and the Folk Art Museum.

* [[Archaeological Museum of Messenia|Benakeion Archaeological Museum of Kalamata]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://culture.kalamata.gr/v1/museum/view_museum/1 |title=Καλαμάτα - Μουσεία |access-date=8 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505050930/http://culture.kalamata.gr/v1/museum/view_museum/1 |archive-date= 5 May 2013 }}</ref> located in the heart of the historical centre of Kalamata.
* Cultural events, such as the [https://web.archive.org/web/20080203121312/http://www.kalamatadancefestival.gr/index_en.php Kalamata International Dance Festival]
* The [[Kalamata Dance Megaron]]
* Kalamata Drama International Summer School 
* [[Kalamata Castle]] from the 13th century AD.<ref>[http://www.kastra.eu/castleen.php?kastro=kalamata Castle of Kalamata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711011217/https://www.kastra.eu/castleen.php?kastro=kalamata |date=11 July 2024 }} Greek Castles</ref>
* The [[marina]] and the [[Port of Kalamata]], located SW of the city centre, is the main and largest port in Messenia and the southern part of the Peloponnese.
* [[Kalamata Municipal Stadium]], home of [[Messiniakos]], seats 5,400 spectators
* The [[Railway Museum of the Municipality of Kalamata]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3499&theme_id=30 |title=Hellenic Ministry of Culture &#124; Railway Museum of the Municipality of Kalamata |publisher=Odysseus.culture.gr |access-date=21 September 2009 |archive-date=25 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725212628/http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3499&theme_id=30 |url-status=live }}</ref> a railway museum which first opened since 1986
* [[Messene|Ancient Messene]], some {{Convert|15-20|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} north-west of modern [[Messini]]
* The Maria Callas Alumni Association of the Music School of Kalamata (www.mariacallas.gr) with the exhibition of the personal letters of the legendary Maria Callas.

===Cathedral of Ypapanti===
Kalamata's cathedral of the ''Ypapanti'' (Presentation of the Lord to the Temple) nestles beneath the 14th-century Frankish castle. The foundation stone was laid on 25 January 1860, and the building was consecrated on 19 August 1873. It suffered great damage during the 1986 earthquake,<ref name=tct6118611 /> but was subsequently restored. The Festival of the ''Ypapanti'' (27 January through 9 February) is of national importance for the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] and, locally, the occasion for a holiday (2 February), when the litany of what is believed to be a miraculous icon, first introduced in 1889, takes place.

In late January 2010, the city hosted the [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch]] [[Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Bartholomew]] to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the cathedral. He was offered the golden key of the city. The region around Kalamata has provided two Ecumenical patriarchs in the past.

==Economy==
[[File:Kalamata-olive-soap.jpg|thumb|150px|Historic advertising for olive oil [[soap]] from Kalamata]]

Kalamata's [[Chamber of Commerce]] is the second-oldest in the [[Mediterranean]] after [[Marseille]]. Kalamata is well known for its black [[Kalamata olive]]s.

[[Karelia Tobacco Company]] has been in operation in Kalamata since 1888.

==Historical population==
{| class=wikitable
! Year !! City !! Municipal unit !! Municipality 
|-
| 1981 || 42,075 || – || –
|-
| 1991 || 43,625 || 50,693 || –
|-
| 2001 || 49,550 || 57,620 || –
|-
| 2011 || 54,567 || 62,409 || 69,849
|-
| 2021 || 58,816 || 66,135 || 72,906
|}

==Climate==
According to the meteorological station in the nearby [[Kalamata International Airport|airport]], Kalamata has a hot-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa'') with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalamata, Greece Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=62761&cityname=Kalamata,+Greece |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Weatherbase |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319045737/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=62761&cityname=Kalamata,+Greece |url-status=live }}</ref> Kalamata receives plenty of precipitation during the winter, while summers are hot and generally dry with plenty of sunshine. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded in Kalamata is {{convert|45.0|°C|°F|disp=or}} on 24 June 2007 and the lowest minimum ever recorded is {{convert|&minus;5|°C|°F|disp=or}} on 14 February 2004. A reading of {{Convert|45.1|C|F}} was reported in the city station which is operated by the [[National Observatory of Athens]] on 23 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Latest Conditions in Kalamata |url=http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kalamata/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=penteli.meteo.gr |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725224012/http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kalamata/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Kalamata airport, [[HNMS]] 1971–2010 normals
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 23.0
| Feb record high C = 26.0
| Mar record high C = 26.0
| Apr record high C = 30.9
| May record high C = 39.9
| Jun record high C = 45.0
| Jul record high C = 44.4
| Aug record high C = 43.2
| Sep record high C = 38.9
| Oct record high C = 37.0
| Nov record high C = 29.0
| Dec record high C = 26.0
| year record high C = 45.0
| Jan high C = 14.7
| Feb high C = 14.9
| Mar high C = 16.9
| Apr high C = 19.9
| May high C = 24.6
| Jun high C = 29.1
| Jul high C = 31.3
| Aug high C = 31.4
| Sep high C = 28.4
| Oct high C = 24.3
| Nov high C = 19.6
| Dec high C = 16.0
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 9.8
| Feb mean C = 10.1
| Mar mean C = 12.0
| Apr mean C = 15.0
| May mean C = 19.7
| Jun mean C = 24.3
| Jul mean C = 26.5
| Aug mean C = 26.2
| Sep mean C = 22.8
| Oct mean C = 18.5
| Nov mean C = 14.1
| Dec mean C = 11.0
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 5.4
| Feb low C = 5.3
| Mar low C = 6.4
| Apr low C = 8.7
| May low C = 12.4
| Jun low C = 16.0
| Jul low C = 18.8
| Aug low C = 18.4
| Sep low C = 16.0
| Oct low C = 12.9
| Nov low C = 9.4
| Dec low C = 6.7
| year low C = 
| Jan record low C = -5.0
| Feb record low C = -5.0
| Mar record low C = -3.6
| Apr record low C = 0.0
| May record low C = 5.4
| Jun record low C = 9.0
| Jul record low C = 12.0
| Aug record low C = 12.4
| Sep record low C = 9.6
| Oct record low C = 4.2
| Nov record low C = -0.4
| Dec record low C = -3.4
| year record low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 105.6
| Feb precipitation mm = 95.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 66.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 51.9
| May precipitation mm = 22.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 7.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 6.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 10.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 36.7
| Oct precipitation mm = 85.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 141.7
| Dec precipitation mm = 141.2
| year precipitation mm = 780.3
| Jan precipitation days = 14.4
| Feb precipitation days = 13.7
| Mar precipitation days = 11.8
| Apr precipitation days = 10.3
| May precipitation days = 6.8
| Jun precipitation days = 3.0
| Jul precipitation days = 1.5
| Aug precipitation days = 2.4
| Sep precipitation days = 6.1
| Oct precipitation days = 9.9
| Nov precipitation days = 12.8
| Dec precipitation days = 15.7
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan humidity = 75.0
| Feb humidity = 73.5
| Mar humidity = 73.3
| Apr humidity = 70.3
| May humidity = 66.3
| Jun humidity = 57.7
| Jul humidity = 57.8
| Aug humidity = 61.3
| Sep humidity = 66.8
| Oct humidity = 72.1
| Nov humidity = 77.6
| Dec humidity = 77.3
| year humidity = 70.1
| Jan sun = 143.6
| Feb sun = 140.8
| Mar sun = 185.9
| Apr sun = 212.2
| May sun = 286.0
| Jun sun = 338.2
| Jul sun = 367.6
| Aug sun = 346.6
| Sep sun = 269.9
| Oct sun = 205.6
| Nov sun = 150.6
| Dec sun = 131.1
| year sun = 2778.1
| date = January 2012
| source = HNMS climate means,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.emy.gr/emy/el/climatology/climatology_city?perifereia=Peloponnese&poli=Kalamata | title=Κλιματικά Δεδομένα ανά Πόλη- ΜΕΤΕΩΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΑ, ΕΜΥ, Εθνική Μετεωρολογική Υπηρεσία | access-date=16 June 2023 | archive-date=14 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314235341/http://www.emy.gr/emy/el/climatology/climatology_city?perifereia=Peloponnese&poli=Kalamata | url-status=live }}</ref> NOAA extremes & sunshine 1961-1990<ref name = NOAA>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-VI/GR/16726.TXT
| server = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| url-status = dead
| title = Kalamata Climate Normals 1961-1990
}}</ref> Info Climat extremes 1991-present<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/kalamata-airport/valeurs/16726.html | title=Normales et records climatologiques 1991-2020 à Kalamata Airport - Infoclimat | access-date=16 June 2023 | archive-date=16 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616100506/https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/kalamata-airport/valeurs/16726.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==Transportation==
[[File:Kalamata railstation.JPG|thumb|The railway station]]
Kalamata is accessed by [[Greek National Road 7|GR-7]]/[[European route E55|E55]]/[[European route E65|E65]] in the west, and [[Greek National Road 82|GR-82]] runs through Kalamata and into the [[Taygetus]]. The motorway to Kalamata from Tripoli is complete.<ref>[https://www.eleftheriaonline.gr/local/oikonomia/ypodomes/item/109082-paradothike-stin-kykloforia-o-perifereiakos-tis-kalamatas Παραδόθηκε στην κυκλοφορία ο περιφερειακός της Καλαμάτας (βίντεο)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064720/https://www.eleftheriaonline.gr/local/oikonomia/ypodomes/item/109082-paradothike-stin-kykloforia-o-perifereiakos-tis-kalamatas |date=3 February 2018 }}, 19 Νοεμβρίου 2016, - ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ Online</ref>

Kalamata is served by a [[metre gauge]] railway line of the former [[Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways]], now owned by the [[Hellenic Railways Organisation]] (OSE). There is a [[Kalamata railway station|station]] and a small freight yard in the city, as well as a rolling stock maintenance depot to the north. There used to be a mainline train service to Kyparissia, Pyrgos and Patras, and a suburban service to Messini and the General Hospital. However, in December 2010, all train services from Kalamata, along with those in the rest of the Peloponnese south of Corinth, were discontinued on economic grounds, and the train station is now closed.  A previously disused extension line to the port is now a ''Railway Park'', with old steam engines on display, and a café in the old station building.

There is a bus link, operated by the [[KTEL (Greece)|KTEL]] company, to [[Tripoli, Greece|Tripoli]], [[Corinth]], and [[Athens]], with frequent services. Ferries are available to places such as the Greek islands of [[Kythira]] and [[Crete]] in the summer months. Also in the summer months, charter and scheduled flights fly direct to [[Kalamata International Airport]] from some European cities.  A scheduled service by [[Aegean Airlines]] once a day linking [[Kalamata International Airport|Kalamata]] and [[Athens International Airport]] commenced in 2010.

Kalamata also has four urban bus lines that cross the city and its suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Urban Bus|url=https://greece.terrabook.com/messinia/page/urban-bus/|website=terrabook|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-26|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922050129/https://greece.terrabook.com/messinia/page/urban-bus/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Cuisine==
[[File:Kalamataolives.jpg|thumb|200px|A plate with black [[Kalamata olive]]s]]
Local specialities:

*''[[Kalamata olive|Kalamata olives]]''
*''[[Lalagia]]'' ({{Lang|el|Λαλάγγια/Λαλαγγίδες}})
*''[[Diples]]'' (dessert)
*''[[Sesame seed candy|Pasteli]]'' (dessert)
*''[[Talagani]]'' cheese
*''[[Sfela]]'' cheese

==Notable people==
[[File:POLYDOURIMARIA gr.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Maria Polydouri]]]]
[[File:Prokopis Pavlopoulos 2016-01-15.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Prokopis Pavlopoulos]], former [[President of Greece]]]]
[[File:YanniPressPhoto.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Yanni]]]]

*[[Andreas Apostolopoulos]] (born 1952), real estate developer and sports team owner
*[[Giannis Christopoulos (footballer, born 1972)|Giannis Christopoulos]] (born 1972), football coach
*[[Yanni|Yiannis Chryssomallis]] ("Yanni") (born 1954), composer and musician
*[[Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos]] (1935{{ndash}}2011), shipowner
*[[Aggeliki Daliani]] (born 1979) actress
*[[Nikolaos Doxaras]], painter
*[[Panagiotis Doxaras]], painter
*[[Lawrence Durrell]] (1912–1990), writer <ref>Durrell was the  director of the [[British Council|British Council’s]] English Language Institute in Kalamata from September 1940 to April 1941. The little house provided for him on Navarinou Street (no. 83), on the seafront, remains. With his first wife Nancy (née Myers) and baby daughter Penelope, the family fled to Egypt as the German army  advanced (see, e.g., Ian MacNiven (1998), ''Lawrence Durrell: a biography'', Faber, pp.226-7; Nikos Zervis (1999), ''Lawrence Durrell in Kalamata'', isbn: 978-960-90690-1-0 (published privately) (in Greek); Joanna Hodgkin (2023), ''Amateurs in Eden: the story of a bohemian marriage; Nancy and Lawrence Durrell'', Virago, pp.258-63</ref>
*[[Nikolaos Georgeas]] (born 1976), footballer
*[[Alexandros Koumoundouros]], Prime Minister of Greece in the 19th century
*[[Evan Markopoulos|Elia Markopoulos]], American professional wrestler who spent his childhood summers at his family's home in Kalamata.
*[[Gerasimos (Michaleas) of San Francisco|Gerasimos Michaleas]] (1947), American Eastern Orthodox bishop
*[[Panos Mihalopoulos]] (born 1949), actor
*[[Nikos Moulatsiotis]], footballer and coach
*[[Sokratis Papastathopoulos]] (born 1988), footballer
*[[Prokopis Pavlopoulos]] (born 1950) lawyer, university professor, politician, former President of Greece from 2015 to 2020
*[[Vassilis Photopoulos]] (1934{{ndash}}2007) painter, film director, art director and set designer
*[[Nikolaos Politis]] (1872{{ndash}}1942), diplomat, lawyer
*[[Maria Polydouri]] (1902{{ndash}}1930), poet
*[[Aris San]] (born Aristides Saisanas, 1940{{ndash}}1992), Greek-Israeli singer
*[[Angelos Skafidas]], footballer and coach
*[[Kenny Stamatopoulos]] (born 1979), footballer
*[[Michail Stasinopoulos]] (1903{{ndash}}2002) lawyer, President of the Republic of Greece
*[[Gregory Stephanopoulos]] (born 1950) Professor of Chemical Engineering, MIT
*[[William II of Villehardouin]] (died 1278) the last Villehardouin prince of Achaea
*[[Mihalis Papagiannakis]] (1941{{ndash}}2009), Greek politician
*[[Panagiotis Benakis]] (1700{{ndash}}1771), Greek notable
*[[Stavros Kostopoulos]] (1900{{ndash}}1968), Greek banker and politician
*[[Dimitrios Stefanakos]] (born 1936), Greek footballer
*[[Konstantinos Ventiris]] (1892{{ndash}}1960), Greek army officer
*[[Panagiotis Bachramis]] (1976{{ndash}}2010), Greek footballer
*[[Nikos Economopoulos]] (born 1953), Greek photographer
*[[Bleepsgr]], Greek street artist

==Sporting teams==
Kalamata hosts a lot of notable sport clubs with earlier presence in the higher national divisions in Greek football. It also hosts one of the oldest Greek club, the club [[Messiniakos FC]] founded in 1888.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="4"|Sport clubs based in Kalamata
|-
!width="150"|Club
!Founded
!Sports
!Achievements
|-
| [[Messiniakos GS]] ||1888 ||[[Association football|Football]], [[Volleyball]] ||Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki football, earlier presence in A1 Ethniki volleyball
|-
|[[A.E.K. Kalamata]]||1926||[[Association football|Football]] ||Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki
|-
|[[Apollon Kalamata]]||1927||[[Association football|Football]] ||Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki
|-
|[[Prasina Poulia Kalamata]]||1938||[[Association football|Football]] ||Earlier presence in Beta Ethniki
|-
|[[Kalamata FC]]||1967||[[Association football|Football]] ||Earlier presence in A Ethniki
|-
|[[AO Kalamata 1980]]||1980||[[Basketball]], [[Volleyball]]||Presence in A2 Ethniki volleyball
|-
|[[Argis Kalamata]]||1994||[[Sport of athletics|Athletics]]||
|}

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece}}

===Twin towns—sister cities===
Kalamata is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:
*{{Flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Aglantzia]], [[Cyprus]].<ref name="Municipality of Kalamata">{{cite web |author1=Municipality of Kalamata |title=Εκδηλώσεις τιμής και μνήμης για τα θύματα και τους αγνοούμενους στην Κύπρο το 1974 |url=http://www.kalamata.gr/enimerosi/nea/3969-ekdilwseis-timis-kai-mnimis-gia-thumata-kai-agnooumenous-stin-kupro-to-1974.html |website=Kalamata.gr |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821052751/http://www.kalamata.gr/enimerosi/nea/3969-ekdilwseis-timis-kai-mnimis-gia-thumata-kai-agnooumenous-stin-kupro-to-1974.html |archive-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|PRC}} [[Xi'an]], [[China]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/21/content_12089602.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924235335/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/21/content_12089602.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2009 |title=China's Xi'an forges sister city ties with Greece's Kalamata _English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |access-date=21 September 2009}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Lowell, Massachusetts]], [[United States]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kampouris |first1=Nick |title=Lowell, Massachusetts and Kalamata, Greece to Become Sister Cities |url=https://greekreporter.com/2020/02/12/lowell-massachusetts-and-kalamata-greece-to-become-sister-cities/ |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=Greek Reporter |date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171228/https://greekreporter.com/2020/02/12/lowell-massachusetts-and-kalamata-greece-to-become-sister-cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of cities and towns in Greece]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Municipality of Kalamata}}
{{wikivoyage|Kalamata}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090503102057/http://www.kalamata.gr/ Municipality of Kalamata] {{in lang|el}}
* [http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/greece/kalamai/kalamai.html Historic maps of Kalamata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925114441/http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/greece/kalamai/kalamai.html |date=25 September 2009 }}
* [http://www.kalamata.chambernet.gr Messinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207190246/http://www.kalamata.chambernet.gr/ |date=7 February 2009 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050208002053/http://www.culture.gr/2/21/maps/pelop/messinia/messinia.html Ministry of Culture – Messinia]
* [http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/kalamata Kalamata] The Official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation

{{Kalamata|nocat=yes}}
{{Kallikratis-Peloponnese}}
{{Prefectures and provinces of Greece}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kalamata| ]]
[[Category:Byzantine sites in Peloponnese (region)]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Peloponnese (region)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Messenia]]