Description:
The modern town of Kalamata stands at the head of the Messenian Gulf, on the foothills of the Taygetus range. Traces of habitation dating back to the prehistoric era have been found in the vicinity of Kalamata castle. In the mid-Byzantine period, and also when the Peloponnese was under 'Frankish' rule, a flourishing town by the name of Kalamata developed in the area. In September 1986, the town of Kalamata was struck by a devastating earthquake. The worst damage was suffered by old buildings. After the destructive earthquake the Ministry of Culture took steps for the salvage and restoration of listed buildings in the city. Immediate measures were taken for saving them from further demolition and restoring heavily damaged buildings as well as checking and surveying others in order to list them as National Monuments. From the very first day an office was established in the city with qualified personnel to assume the task. Soon after all surveys had been completed, restoration work started.