Overview:

Ancient Messene is an archaeological site located in the modern-day region of Messenia, Greece. The site is believed to have been founded in 369 BC by Epaminondas, the leader of Thebes, as a bulwark of the Spartan hegemony of the Peloponnese which had just been broken. The city was built on seven hills and was connected to the city of Gytheio by two roads. The city was surrounded by a defensive wall containing 25 towers. It had an area of approximately 1 sq. km (0.39 sq. miles). The site contains many ruins of temples, theaters and amphitheaters, baths, and other ancient artifacts. The Messenia museum is located on site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

1. The Archaeological Site: The remains of the ancient city of Messene, founded in 369 BC, are located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, in the geographical region of Messenia. The site is one of the most extensively preserved ancient cities in Greece and is well-preserved by its encircling defensive walls. 2. The Sanctuary of Asklepios: A site that was dedicated to Asklepios, the ancient Greek god of healing. This site features a collection of healing statues and temples, and is considered to be one of the most important shrines of the ancient world. 3. The Messenaean Wall: A 600m long defensive walls that encircled the city. The wall, built in the 4th century BC, is comprised mainly of limestone blocks and impressive towers. It was designed for battlements and contains three gateways; the largest, the so-called Megalos Propylon, gave access to the city’s acropolis. 4. The Theatre: The well-preserved theatre, built in the 3rd century BC, is still in use today. It originally had 19 rows of seats and a stage building that was decorated with Doric columns. The theatre is the site of various concerts and theatrical productions. 5. The Stadium: Mesene's 4th century BC stadium is considered to be one of the best preserved in Greece. It featured two entrances, one for the competitors and one for spectators, as well as planting beds that lined the edge of the track. 6. The Agora: The Agora (market place) is the main open-air gathering spot in the ancient city. It served as the city’s administrative, political and religious center and today it is covered by monuments from all eras. 7. The Gymnasium: The Gymnasium, built in the 2nd century BC, was an area dedicated to sports and physical training. It was surrounded by a wall punctuated by small buildings and porticoes, and features two long, open courts which hosted the various sporting activities. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

Messene was an ancient Greek city-state located on the Peloponnesian peninsula in southern Greece. It is believed to have been founded during the late 8th century BC by the 7th century Greek ruler Epaminondas, following the nearby polis of Sparta. Archeological records suggest that Messene enjoyed considerable autonomy and had a strong defensive structure. The ancient city also featured many public buildings such as a synagogue and an agora. The city was destroyed by the Roman emperor Augustus in the 1st century BCE and rebuilt by the Roman general Mummius in the 2nd century. Messene remained occupied by the Romans until their departure from Greece in the late 4th century, and then by the Byzantines until its final abandonment in the late 7th century. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Messene was an ancient city founded in 369 BC in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese. 2. Messene was an important city in the Ancient Greek world: it was located in the same region as Sparta, the most powerful Greek city-state of the time. 3. The original settlement of Messene was destroyed in 364 BC by the Spartans, who feared the city’s growing power. 4. With the assistance of Athens, Messene was rebuilt in 369–368 BC, with its walls reaching 17 kilometres in length. 5. Messene was one of the most well-fortified towns in Greece during its heyday, featuring a 15-metre-high wall and a 30-metre-wide moat. 6. Ancient Messene also boasted a theatre, an agora, a gymnasium, a stadium, and a council house. 7. The city was eventually abandoned in the 4th century AD, and its ruins remain as a reminder of its fascinating past. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era