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.
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.
