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All Greece Kalamata Church of the Virgin Mary

Church of the Virgin Mary

This sixth-century church housed an icon with eyes so beautiful legend has it they inspired the name of a Greek city.

Kalamata, Greece

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gus kontopuls
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Front of the church.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Front of the church.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
View from the church.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
Stairs to the church.   gus619USA / Atlas Obscura User
  Kostas Gerampinis / Atlas Obscura User
  Kostas Gerampinis / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the sixth century, a small church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary was built inside the castle walls of a fortress directly over the site of the ancient city of Farai.  Inside this church was an icon of the Virgin Mary with what was described by many as the most beautiful black eyes ever seen on an icon.

The icon became known as “Kalomata” ("Beautiful Eyes” in Greek). Over the years, the city embraced the popular name and eventually Farai became known as Kalamata.      

The castle continued to deteriorated over the next six centuries until it was rebuilt by the occupying Franks after the Fourth Crusade in 1205. The castle changed hands numerous times between the Principality of the Morea, Slavs, Navarrese, Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans until Kalamata was liberated at the start of the Greek War of Independence on March 23, 1821.

The church serviced the community continuously during these times, except when under Ottoman occupation, where worship privileges were allowed inconsistently. While the castle suffered significant damage during the many battles fought for it over the centuries, the church generally escaped major damage. The church did however suffer damage in the earthquake of 1986 however it was repaired shortly thereafter.

Related Tags

Castles Christianity Names Churches Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

To access the Church of the Virgin Mary, you must enter the castle. The main access to the castle is through a gate-tower with a frieze of the Lion of St. Mark above it. Hours are as follows:

April – October: 0800-2000 Daily November – March: 0800-1500 Daily

The days/hours may vary depending upon other holidays, special events, etc.

There is an entry fee that has numerous exceptions and discounts.

The open hours for the church vary. The church hosts a feast on many of the prominent Marian feast days.

Community Contributors

Added By

gus619USA

Edited By

Kostas Gerampinis

  • Kostas Gerampinis

Published

November 20, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.kastra.eu/castleen.php?kastro=kalamata
  • https://www.visitmeteora.travel/the-byzantine-church-of-virgin-mary/
  • https://web-greece.gr/en/destinations/kalamata-messinia-greece/
  • https://greece.terrabook.com/messinia/page/castle-kalamata/
  • https://www.landlifetravel.com/the-castle-of-kalamata/
Church of the Virgin Mary
28 Spartis
Kalamata, 241 00
Greece
37.046818, 22.116485
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Kalograion Monastery Silk Weaving

Kalamata, Greece

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kalamata

Kalamata

Greece

Places 3

Nearby Places

Kalograion Monastery Silk Weaving

Kalamata, Greece

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kalamata

Kalamata

Greece

Places 3

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