Friends of Methoni castle
There is now a formal association of Friends of Methoni Castle. You can Join online. I was lucky to be in Methoni in March 2010 and to be invited to an international conference there. I was impressed by the event, though unable to attend all the lectures which were spread over the weekend of 19-20 March. While most of the presentations were in Greek, it was possible to learn from slides shown and from opportunities during breaks when delegates and speakers were pleased to converse in English and other languages.
Methoni has a long history and its Castle, which was one of the most important castles on the Peloponnese, is a major tourist attraction for the town. Its most photographed aspect is the Bourtzi, so here are some less well known views. Unless you arrive by coach and are taken to the car park close to the main entrance, your first view of the castle is likely to be from the beach road.
From here you will see a beach-front restaurant that used to have a sandy area in front but now literally has a seafront. This has occurred during the last 10 years. Walking along the beach past the restaurant, you will follow the route that fishermen take to reach the harbour. You'll pass wrecked boats and other boating debris and the path narrows as you get closer to the castle wall.
The eastern wall is Venetian and was built by Antonios Lorentakos. On the sunny day in April when these photos were taken, several green Lizards were enjoying the first real warmth of the year, and plants in flower included a wallflower, literally on the wall of the castle. The towering walls provide shelter for the harbour, but on the opposite side of the castle the sea is less tranquil.
AS the path crumbles away to the rocks and shallow water, a wooden walkway has been made to assist access. The water around the castle is clear and the rocky habitat enables a variety of sea plants to thrive. The place is very relaxing, and the plants are fascinating. This is a fine place to look for eels and fish; You may even find an octopus at the right time of year.
Methoni is renowned for its clear sea water and fishing was one of it's main industries, though fewer fishing boats go out to sea regularly now. Of course, rocky waters are also hazardous to ships and boats and there are have been many shipwrecks.
Apparently, the Methoni settlement has been fortified since 400 BC or earlier. The Venetians considered it important as a mid-way point on the trade route between Venice and the East, and by the 12th century AD, the Venetians controlled it. The Messinia Guide and other articles on Methoni history give fuller accounts and records still exist, apparently held in Venice.
On this harbour side, the castle walls are high and the octagonal Bourtzi, a Turkish fortress with a dark history,is not visible as it is further round to the west.
The Bourtzi was built on an islet called Mothon Lithus, from which the name "Methoni" may have originated, but I've heard a number of different theories on this. Access to the Bourtzi is through the castle grounds and along a causeway which connects the main grounds to the islet. You can catch a glimpse of the land inside the castle grounds by peering through the arched gateway. Within the castle wall there are two sections, North and South. Two ruined churches exist: Agia Maria, turned into a mosque by the Turks; and Agia Sotira with a stone bell tower. The castle grounds are a protected area because Wild plants, some of which are rare species, grow among the ruined Venetian houses and cobbled road. The castle is open to the public and visitors regularly arrive on "history" coach tours.
Methoni castle has the remains of a moat; which has been partially filled in. Alhough parts may be wet and marsh plants can be seen in winter, in summer it is dry and makes a good venue for plays and concerts. Sadly, the castle cafe has closed. It had a lovely garden and was afavourite place to spend an hour or so chatting to tourists in summer, or passing the time of day with local people in quieter periods of the year.
You may approach the North (main) entrance of the castle from one of the two main roads through the town or by means of paths through side streets and up from the beach. The entrance walkway across the moat brings you to a majestic entrance gate, with Corinthian columns and carved limestone decoration including depictions of Venetian spears and flags dated to c 1700.
The bridge was originally wooden but the present stone structure, with fourteen arches, was built during the "expedition scientifique de Moree". The bastions had different origins - one, the Venivo (to the West), was built in the 15th century, the other (eastern) being Venetian, along with the east wall.
Following the path round towards the western side of the castle, you will see more features including a small carved limestone plaque and a rounded ruined "turret".
The area at the back of the castle, close to the sea, is considered the best place to view the setting sun. The sea is strewn with rocks and the plants that thrive here are low growing, thorny and resistant to salt and wind. Although it can be bleak in Winter, it is beautiful in its way. Walking back towards the castle, you will have a view of Methoni bay, with its islands, the largest of which is called Sapienza. The hills in the distance, to the east, are cut by the road to Foinikounda. ten years ago they were almost barren of houses, but the area is popular for new building since the views of Methoni and the castle are stunning at all seasons and in all weather.
If you enjoy Methoni castle you might like to visit its "sister" castle at Koroni, about an hours drive to the east, and also Pylos castle which is only 11 kilometres away.