Kalamata

There is also a Kalamata in the Democratic Republic of Congo, see Kalamata, Democratic Republic of Congo

History of Kalamata

Contrary to many other Greek cities, Kalamata does not date to classical times. Messini, which is located elsewhere in Messinia, is an ancient site, however. From 1681 on the Venetians ruled Kalamata. In 23rd of March, 1821, Kalamata was the first city to be liberated from the Turkish occupation of as much as over 300 years. In 1825, Ibrahim Pasha destroyed the city during the Greek war of independence. After this, Kalamata was rebuilt and became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean sea. It is not surprising that the 2nd oldest Chamber of Commerce in the Mediterranean, after that of Marseille, exists in Kalamata. After World War II, and due to political issues, Kalamata, as well as most of the Peloponnese, was excluded from the government development plans, in favour of north Greece instead. That was a major strike on the local economy, resulting in the decline of the port and hence the city. During 70s and the 80s, development and growth in Kalamata were words from worlds away, and only after the city suffered severe damage from the earthquakes of September 1986, the local authorities and individuals strained their financial resources to bring a wind of change to the forgotten capital of Messinia. Due to these efforts, Kalamata has now fully recovered and developed into a modern provincial capital, with all facilities and amenities, as well as one of the most modern hospitals in Greece.

Related Topics:
Venetians - 1825 - Ibrahim Pasha

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~