Messini
Encyclopedia
Messini is a Municipal Unit (Dēmotikē Enotēta) and Seat (Edra) of the municipality
(Dēmos) of Messini within the Regional Unit (Perifereiskē Enotēta) of Messenia
in the Region (Periferaia) of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic
has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11 August 2010 and implemented 1 January 2011 after elections of officers in November 2010. Before 2011 the same hierarchy prevailed, according to Law 2539 of 1997, the Kapodistrias Plan, except that Messenia was a nomos and the Municipal unit was a locality (Topiko Diamerisma). The dimos existed under either law, but not with the same constituents.
Messini (modern pronounciation) is not to be confused with its ancient namesake, Messene
, located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the north in the shadow of Mount Ithome
. The two are unrelated. Messini is an urban center on the right bank of the Pamisos River, now a straightened and controled irrigational stream, across the river from the airport and close to the major city of Messenia, Kalamata
. Ancient Messene is an equally large but abandoned site of ruins partially occupied by the small village of Mavrommati (not to be confused with Mavrommati Pamisou, or just Pamisou, on the north of the modern city). Ancient Messene is in a different Municipal Unit, Ithomi
. Messini did not gradually become nor was it created by population transfer from Ancient Messene. Formerly Nisi, it underwent a name change to Messini in the late 19th century.
) named Kentriki Plateia or Central Square. The square is surrounded with a few pine trees with a building to the southwest, grass with two walkways to the north along with a few palm trees; a famous white clock tower without windows is in the middle of the square. The town is accessed by Greek National Road 82
(Pylos - Kalamata - Sparta) which has been bypassed to the south and a road to Efa (Eua) to the north. The nearest beach is in the southwest. The farmlands which used to resemble a wetland are to the southeast. Messene had a railway station from the 1900s with a connection of the SPAP
line from Kalamata (Asprochoma) about 5 km (3.11 mi) east. It was the westernmost terminus of this line until its abandonment in the late 20th century. This line was reopened in 2007 and subsequently operated with additional halts at the military and civilian airports. However, along with the rest of the Peloponnesian railway, operations were suspended in 2010 due to Greece's financial problems.
Landmarks near Messeni include Kalamata airport to the east, and the beaches south of the town.
was a nomos (district) containing 29 demes (municipalities) and 2 koinotetes (communities). The total population, based on the 2001 census was 176,876. Since 2010, Messenia has been a perifereiake enoteta (regional unit) containing only 6 demes, but still with a population of 176,876; i.e., Messenia did not change area in the reorganization. Some 25 demes and koinotetes were incorporated politically into the other 6.
The Demotike Enoteta of Messini contains the same subdivisions and populations as did the previous deme of Messini but the subdivisions are now Topikes Koinetetes (local communities). These are as follows:
In summary, Messini is a town, a municipal unit and a municipality.
Baedeker
's for the later 19th century and early 20th centuries referred to Nisi as "now officially Messini," a phrase that was widely used in travelogues of the period. The earliest Baedeker's to do so is the German edition of 1888. Prior to 1887 Nisi is not treated as Messini. These facts suggest the government of Greece changed the official name to Messini in 1887, a time of political change. Subsequent references to the place often refer to Nisi as "the popular name."
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
(Dēmos) of Messini within the Regional Unit (Perifereiskē Enotēta) of Messenia
Messenia
Messenia is a regional unit in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese region, one of 13 regions into which Greece has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, implemented 1 January 2011...
in the Region (Periferaia) of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11 August 2010 and implemented 1 January 2011 after elections of officers in November 2010. Before 2011 the same hierarchy prevailed, according to Law 2539 of 1997, the Kapodistrias Plan, except that Messenia was a nomos and the Municipal unit was a locality (Topiko Diamerisma). The dimos existed under either law, but not with the same constituents.
Messini (modern pronounciation) is not to be confused with its ancient namesake, Messene
Messene
Messene , officially Ancient Messene, is a Local Community of the Municipal Unit , Ithomi, of the municipality of Messini within the Regional Unit of Messenia in the Region of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic has been divided by the Kallikratis...
, located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the north in the shadow of Mount Ithome
Ithome
Mount Ithome or Ithomi, previously Vourkano or Vurcano before being changed back to Ithome, is the northernmost of twin peaks in Messenia, Greece. Mount Ithome rises to about , about over Valyra, the seat of Ithomi, the former municipality...
. The two are unrelated. Messini is an urban center on the right bank of the Pamisos River, now a straightened and controled irrigational stream, across the river from the airport and close to the major city of Messenia, Kalamata
Kalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
. Ancient Messene is an equally large but abandoned site of ruins partially occupied by the small village of Mavrommati (not to be confused with Mavrommati Pamisou, or just Pamisou, on the north of the modern city). Ancient Messene is in a different Municipal Unit, Ithomi
Ithomi, Messenia
Ithomi is a Municipal Unit of the municipality of Messini within the Regional Unit of Messenia in the Region of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11 August 2010...
. Messini did not gradually become nor was it created by population transfer from Ancient Messene. Formerly Nisi, it underwent a name change to Messini in the late 19th century.
Modern town
The modern town has some 10,000 inhabitants. It is the second largest municipality of Messinia. Messeni has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office, and squares (plateiaPlateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
) named Kentriki Plateia or Central Square. The square is surrounded with a few pine trees with a building to the southwest, grass with two walkways to the north along with a few palm trees; a famous white clock tower without windows is in the middle of the square. The town is accessed by Greek National Road 82
Greek National Road 82
Greek National Road 82 is a west to east highway linking Pylos with the GR-9/E55, Kalamata and downtown Sparta with GR-37/E???. The highway begins in downtown Pylos and runs through the southwestern part of Messenia and through curvy roads and through Lykodimos and intersects with a road linking...
(Pylos - Kalamata - Sparta) which has been bypassed to the south and a road to Efa (Eua) to the north. The nearest beach is in the southwest. The farmlands which used to resemble a wetland are to the southeast. Messene had a railway station from the 1900s with a connection of the SPAP
Railways of Greece
thumb|right|Map of the current Greek railway network.The railways of Greece have a complex history which begin in 1869, with the completion of the then Athens & Piraeus Railway, with parts of it also becoming the second-oldest underground metro system in the world.Greece is a member of the...
line from Kalamata (Asprochoma) about 5 km (3.11 mi) east. It was the westernmost terminus of this line until its abandonment in the late 20th century. This line was reopened in 2007 and subsequently operated with additional halts at the military and civilian airports. However, along with the rest of the Peloponnesian railway, operations were suspended in 2010 due to Greece's financial problems.
Landmarks near Messeni include Kalamata airport to the east, and the beaches south of the town.
Reorganization of Messenia
Before the 2010 reorganization, MesseniaMessenia
Messenia is a regional unit in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese region, one of 13 regions into which Greece has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, implemented 1 January 2011...
was a nomos (district) containing 29 demes (municipalities) and 2 koinotetes (communities). The total population, based on the 2001 census was 176,876. Since 2010, Messenia has been a perifereiake enoteta (regional unit) containing only 6 demes, but still with a population of 176,876; i.e., Messenia did not change area in the reorganization. Some 25 demes and koinotetes were incorporated politically into the other 6.
Reorganization of Messini
Before the reorganization, the deme of Messini contained 14 Topika Diamerismata (local divisions) for a total population of 11041. Since 2010 Messini has still been a deme, one of the six of Messenia. However, it has had to absorb seven other former demes. The problem was solved by creating eight Demotikes Enotetes (municipal units) of the deme Messini for a total population of 28754. These are as follows:| Municipal Unit | Population |
|---|---|
| Aipeia Aipeia Aipeia is a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 2,574 . The seat of the municipality was in Longa.... |
2574 |
| Androusa Androusa Androusa is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Predominantly a farming region, the principal exports include kalamata olives, and livestock... |
2820 |
| Aristomenis Aristomenis Aristomenis is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 3,413 .... |
3413 |
| Voufrades Voufrades Voufrades is a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 1,802 . The seat of the municipality was in Chatzis.... |
1802 |
| Ithomi Ithomi, Messenia Ithomi is a Municipal Unit of the municipality of Messini within the Regional Unit of Messenia in the Region of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11 August 2010... |
2466 |
| Messini Messini Messini is a Municipal Unit and Seat of the municipality of Messini within the Regional Unit of Messenia in the Region of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11... |
11041 |
| Petalidi Petalidi Petalidi , is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Petalidi is situated on the western shore of the Messenian Gulf... |
3601 |
| Trikorfo Trikorfo, Messenia Trikorfo is a former community in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 1,037 . The altitude of Trikorfo village is about 400 meters. It is famous place because of the extra quality... |
1037 |
The Demotike Enoteta of Messini contains the same subdivisions and populations as did the previous deme of Messini but the subdivisions are now Topikes Koinetetes (local communities). These are as follows:
| Local community | Population |
|---|---|
| Messini Messini Messini is a Municipal Unit and Seat of the municipality of Messini within the Regional Unit of Messenia in the Region of Peloponnēsos, one of 7 Regions into which the Hellenic Republic has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, authorized by Law 3852, Issue 1 of 7 June 2010 and Issue 2 of 11... , the Demotike Koinoteta or Deme Community |
6912 |
| Avramiou Avramiou Avramiou is a village in Messenia, southern Greece. It was built before 1816; it had 32 families then. During the Turkish occupation, it was a village of Koroni province, and became a village of Messini province and capital of Leukothea Municipality in 1835... |
591 |
| Analepsi | 354 |
| Velika | 407 |
| Karteroli | 599 |
| Leukohora | 358 |
| Likotrafo | 347 |
| Madena | 143 |
| Mavromati Pamisou or just Pamisou | 388 |
| Neohori | 250 |
| Pilalistra | 196 |
| Piperitsa | 143 |
| Spitali | 141 |
| Triodos | 212 |
In summary, Messini is a town, a municipal unit and a municipality.
History
Messini began its communal existence as Nisi, a settlement placed on an island (nēsos, from which Nisi) in the extensive marshland at the mouth of the Pamisos River. It was placed in Frankish territory, the Principality of Achaia, dated 1205-1432, consisting of 40 villages in Messenia and Elis. The ethnic content of the population in the vicinity at that time was Greeks and Christianized, Hellenized Slavs, which is reflected in the names of the villages around Messini. After 1432, when the Byzantine Empire fell and was commandeered by the Ottoman Empire, some Turks entered the region. Except for the names, these distinctions have more or less disappeared in modern Greece.Baedeker
Baedeker
Verlag Karl Baedeker is a Germany-based publisher and pioneer in the business of worldwide travel guides. The guides, often referred as simply "Baedekers" , contain important introductions, descriptions of buildings, of museum collections, etc., written by the best specialists, and...
's for the later 19th century and early 20th centuries referred to Nisi as "now officially Messini," a phrase that was widely used in travelogues of the period. The earliest Baedeker's to do so is the German edition of 1888. Prior to 1887 Nisi is not treated as Messini. These facts suggest the government of Greece changed the official name to Messini in 1887, a time of political change. Subsequent references to the place often refer to Nisi as "the popular name."
Recent population growth
The populations of the town for the last few census' are given below.| Census Year | Town population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 6,854 |
| 1991 | 6,453 |
| 2001 | 6,693 |
Notable people
- Ioannis AlevrasIoannis AlevrasIoannis Alevras was a Greek Panhellenic Socialist Movement politician and Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament.-Syndicalist:...
(1912–1995), politician - Stephanos Linaios (1928-), actor
External links
| North: Voufrades Voufrades Voufrades is a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 1,802 . The seat of the municipality was in Chatzis.... | ||
| West: Petalidi Petalidi Petalidi , is a village and a former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messene, of which it is a municipal unit. Petalidi is situated on the western shore of the Messenian Gulf... | Messini | East: Kalamata Kalamata Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf... |
| Southwest: Petalidi | South: Messenian Gulf Messenian Gulf The Messenian Gulf is a sea that is part of the Ionian Sea. The gulf is circumscribed by the southern coasts of Messenia and the southwestern coast of the Mani peninsula in Laconia. Its bounds are Venetiko Island to the west and Cape Tainaron to the southeast... |