Ancient Messini, a large classical city-state was refounded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, after the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese.

Epaminondas was the one who invited all the families that had left, due to the longlasting struggle with the military state of Sparta and it servitude under it, back to their homeland.

Today's Ancient Messini, was built upon the ruins of Ithome, an ancient city constructed by Achaean Greeks and previously destroyed by the city-state of Sparta and abandoned for some time after that.

Full Day Trip