The day of the oranges

The importance of oranges for the local economy is illustrated by the celebration on November 21 of the feast of Panaghia Portokalousa (lit. ‘Holy Virgin of the Oranges’). On this day, local people take the year’s new oranges to church to be blessed.

They also show their more playful side by engaging in what is known locally as portokalopolemos (lit. ‘orange battle’), when they pelt each other with the fruit. If there is a wedding on the day, oranges are also thrown at the newlyweds, along with rice and roses!

Navarinia

A vibrant cultural festival in Pylos, including concerts both at the fortress and in the main town square, as well as children’s theatrical shows and live performances from some of Greece’s most acclaimed singers.

Costa Navarino Olive Harvest

At Costa Navarino, guests have the opportunity to experience the olive harvest at first hand. Taking part in the harvest offers insight into an age-old tradition that simply cannot be gained from a book. And apart from the valuable learning experience, a good time is guaranteed.

The traditional method of collecting the olives is preferred, which involves laying nets around each tree to collect the olives that fall to the ground. Long sticks are then used to strike the branches and knock off any ‘stubborn’ olives. Branches that are heavily laden with olives are cut off and the fruits are removed by gentle beating with a smaller stick.

All the olives are then gathered in the centre of each net in small piles, from which any leaves and twigs are removed with a rake. The olives are then placed in plastic buckets or sacks, loaded onto a tractor and taken to the olive press.

Costa Navarino Olive Harvest

At Costa Navarino, guests have the opportunity to experience the olive harvest at first hand. Taking part in the harvest offers insight into an age-old tradition that simply cannot be gained from a book. And apart from the valuable learning experience, a good time is guaranteed.

The traditional method of collecting the olives is preferred, which involves laying nets around each tree to collect the olives that fall to the ground. Long sticks are then used to strike the branches and knock off any ‘stubborn’ olives. Branches that are heavily laden with olives are cut off and the fruits are removed by gentle beating with a smaller stick.

All the olives are then gathered in the centre of each net in small piles, from which any leaves and twigs are removed with a rake. The olives are then placed in plastic buckets or sacks, loaded onto a tractor and taken to the olive press.

Bird Migration Month

Many species of birds have chosen the Gialova lagoon and Messinia for their final stop before the long migratory flight to warmer parts of Africa.

The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus Ruber), Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus), Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter Brevipes), Common Buzzard (Buteo Buteo) and Great White Egret (Egretta Alba), Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) are just some of the bird species that one can see at the Gialova lagoon in October.

Koroni Arts Festival

The Koroni Arts Festival is held in Koroni, Messinia, from June through to October. Visitors can enjoy classical, contemporary and traditional music, opera, poetry, dance, theatre and visual arts exhibitions.

The Grape Harvest

September offers visitors the opportunity to experience the traditional grape harvesting and wine production techniques of Messinia and sample the results at various local wineries. Costa Navarino guests can actually participate in the wine-making activities as part of the Messinian Authenticity program. Participants will visit Costa Navarino’s vineyards at Mouzaki, join in the grape harvest and taste local wines and foods.

Koroni Arts Festival

The Koroni Arts Festival is held in Koroni, Messinia, from June through to October. Visitors can enjoy classical, – Opera – contemporary and traditional music, poetry, dance, theatre and visual arts exhibitions.

Dormition of the mother of God

An important day of religious pilgrimage, the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated across Messinia (on the same day as the Catholic feast of the Assumption) with lively cultural events, local festivals and athletic meets. Every village holds a fair (panygiri) in honor of the Mother of God that lasts all day long.

Antiques bazaar in Kyparissia

The open-air bazaar with antiques and old items is held every summer in the Old Town of Kyparissia. It has been organized since 2005 by the Municipality of Kyparissia and local authorities and is considered to be the biggest cultural event of this beautiful seaside town. During the bazaar, there are wine tasting evenings to introduce visitors to the vineyards of Trifilia.

Koroni Arts Festival

The Koroni Arts Festival is held in Koroni, Messinia, from June through to October. Visitors can enjoy classical, – Opera – contemporary and traditional music, opera, poetry, dance, theatre and visual arts exhibitions.

Koroni Arts Festival

The Koroni Arts Festival is held in Koroni, Messinia, from June through to October. Visitors can enjoy classical, – Opera – contemporary and traditional music, opera, poetry, dance, theatre and visual arts exhibitions.

Koroni Arts Festival

The Koroni Arts Festival is held in Koroni, Messinia, from June through to October. Visitors can enjoy classical, – Opera – contemporary and traditional music, opera, poetry, dance, theatre and visual arts exhibitions.

May Day

May Day is an important holiday when Messinians celebrate the coming of spring by holding family picnics in the countryside and picking colorful wildflowers, which are woven into wreaths and garlands and hung over doorways. Many festive events are organized throughout the region.

Anthestiria

Messinia’s prestigious floricultural and commercial exhibition features various events and festivities culminating in an impressive parade of floats decorated with fresh, colorful flowers and accompanied by children’s dance groups.

Annunciation (Evangelismos)

Churches in Messinia, as throughout Greece, celebrate the Annunciation – the revelation by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear Jesus, the Son of God. The Feast of the Annunciation is observed nine months before Christmas Day.

Koutroulis’ Wedding

A local tradition in Methoni involves the annual revival of an actual 14th century wedding, which became a legend not only because of the many years that passed before the couple could tie the knot but also the unprecedented festivities that followed. From that time on, such grand and exuberant celebrations came to be described as being “like Koutroulis’ wedding”.

Penultimate Thursday of carnival

Barbecue Thursday (Tsiknopempti)

Apokrea in Greek (Carnevale in Latin) means abstaining from meat and preparing for the fasting period before Easter, it is within this holiday spirit that we have the custom of “pig slaughtering” in Messinia, when every home slaughters an animal the day before Tsiknopempti.

Residents then “tsiknizoun” (smoke), the meat and sausages that will be preserved. To this day it is a custom to go out on Tsiknopempti and savor the aroma, and taste, of grilled meat, drink some wine, and leave one’s worries behind.

Clean Monday

Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera)

First day of Orthodox Lent, a time of family togetherness, kite-flying and distinctive meals embracing the bounty of the sea and the gifts of the earth: octopus, squid, mussels, shrimp, olives, spring onions, radishes, lagana (unleavened bread), halva (tahini-based sweet confection) and the ubiquitous taramosalata (salty, fish-roe spread).

New year’s day

New Year’s Day (protochronia) celebrations are even more festive than Christmas since they are a major gift-giving occasion. A special cake (vassilopita), concealing a good-luck coin, is served in memory of St. Basil, one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church remembered for his kindness and generosity.

On the morning of New Year’s Day the master of the house breaks a pomegranate just inside the entrance door, so that all its seeds burst out, spreading everywhere to bring good luck

Epiphany

The Baptism of Christ is celebrated with the blessing of the waters. A priest throws a cross into the sea and young men dive into the chilly waters to retrieve it. The one who succeeds receives a special blessing and becomes the hero of the day. The focal point of events is the Church of the Ascension on the west coast of Kalamata.

Christmas (Christougenna)

In some parts of Messinia it is customary one week before Christmas to lay in the fireplace a slow burning log, the Christoxylo (Christ’s wood), which will hopefully last until the family sits around the table for Christmas dinner.

Moreover, special dishes and sweets, such as mellomakarona and kourabiedes, are prepared for Christmas, making it one of the most festive times of the year.

The Christmas Boat

In many parts of Greece the quintessential symbol of Christmas has long been a brightly decorated boat. The Christmas boat symbolizes not only the gifts that families hope the New Year will bring, but also the proud history of a powerful maritime nation.

Costa Navarino Olive Harvest

At Costa Navarino, guests have the opportunity to experience the olive harvest at first hand. Taking part in the harvest offers insight into an age-old tradition that simply cannot be gained from a book. And apart from the valuable learning experience, a good time is guaranteed.

The traditional method of collecting the olives is preferred, which involves laying nets around each tree to collect the olives that fall to the ground. Long sticks are then used to strike the branches and knock off any ‘stubborn’ olives. Branches that are heavily laden with olives are cut off and the fruits are removed by gentle beating with a smaller stick.

All the olives are then gathered in the centre of each net in small piles, from which any leaves and twigs are removed with a rake. The olives are then placed in plastic buckets or sacks, loaded onto a tractor and taken to the olive press.

Costa Navarino Olive Harvest

At Costa Navarino, guests have the opportunity to experience the olive harvest at first hand. Taking part in the harvest offers insight into an age-old tradition that simply cannot be gained from a book. And apart from the valuable learning experience, a good time is guaranteed.

The traditional method of collecting the olives is preferred, which involves laying nets around each tree to collect the olives that fall to the ground. Long sticks are then used to strike the branches and knock off any ‘stubborn’ olives. Branches that are heavily laden with olives are cut off and the fruits are removed by gentle beating with a smaller stick.

All the olives are then gathered in the centre of each net in small piles, from which any leaves and twigs are removed with a rake. The olives are then placed in plastic buckets or sacks, loaded onto a tractor and taken to the olive press.

Costa Navarino Olive Harvest

At Costa Navarino, guests have the opportunity to experience the olive harvest at first hand. Taking part in the harvest offers insight into an age-old tradition that simply cannot be gained from a book. And apart from the valuable learning experience, a good time is guaranteed.

The traditional method of collecting the olives is preferred, which involves laying nets around each tree to collect the olives that fall to the ground. Long sticks are then used to strike the branches and knock off any ‘stubborn’ olives. Branches that are heavily laden with olives are cut off and the fruits are removed by gentle beating with a smaller stick.

All the olives are then gathered in the centre of each net in small piles, from which any leaves and twigs are removed with a rake. The olives are then placed in plastic buckets or sacks, loaded onto a tractor and taken to the olive press.