Pylos

Pylos (UK: /ˈpaɪlɒs/, US: /-loʊs/; Greek: Πύλος) is a town in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. It is located near the Bay of Navarino and has been an important place for thousands of years. Today, Pylos is part of the municipality Pylos-Nestoras and has around 2,568 people living in the town itself.

The area has been lived in since very old times, known as the Neolithic period. One of the most famous places nearby is the so-called "Palace of Nestor", named after a king from stories called the Iliad written by Homer. Long ago, in 425 BC, a big battle called the Battle of Pylos happened there during a war known as the Peloponnesian War.

Over the centuries, Pylos has seen many changes in who ruled it. It was controlled by the Frankish people, then the Republic of Venice, and later the Ottoman Empire. During these times, it was also called Navarino. Important events like the Battle of Navarino in 1827 helped lead to Greece becoming its own country. The modern town of Pylos was built after that, and the name Pylos was brought back into use in 1833.

Name

Pylos kept its ancient name until Byzantine times. After the Frankish conquest in the early 13th century, two new names appeared.

One name was French, Port-de-Jonc ("Rush Harbour"). It was known by many similar names in other languages, like Porto-Junco in Italian and Port Jonc in medieval Catalan.

Another name was Greek, Avarinos, which later became Varinos or Anavarinos. This name turned into Navarino in Italian and Navarin in French. The meaning of this name is not certain. Some old ideas connected it to groups of people who lived there long ago, but modern ideas think it might come from a name meaning "place of maples".

The name Navarino became more common than the French name only in the 15th century.

History

Neolithic Pylos

Pylos has a long history that goes back to very ancient times. People lived there during the Neolithic period, around 6500 BC, when they began farming and settling down. Excavations show that people have lived in the area continuously since 5300 BC. They found pottery and other items in places like Voidokilia and Nestor's cave.

Mycenaean Pylos

During the Bronze Age, between 3000 and 1000 BC, Pylos became an important center of the Mycenaean civilization. It was a big kingdom, covering about 2,000 square kilometers and possibly having between 50,000 to 120,000 people. The most famous site is the Palace of Nestor, which still stands today as one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces. Many important discoveries, like clay tablets with writing and valuable objects, have been made there.

Classical Pylos

In ancient times, Pylos was involved in important events like the Peloponnesian War. The Athenians built a fort there, which led to significant battles. The area was sometimes empty and sometimes busy with people coming and going.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, Pylos changed hands many times. It was controlled by different groups, including the Crusaders, Venetians, and Ottomans. Each group left their mark on the town and its buildings.

First Venetian and first Ottoman periods

The Venetians and Ottomans took turns controlling Pylos. The Venetians built new forts, and the Ottomans used the area for their navy. The town saw many battles and changes in leadership during this time.

Second Venetian period and Ottoman reconquest

Later, the Venetians came back and took control again, only to lose it to the Ottomans once more. The town continued to be an important place, especially for its port and defenses.

The Greek War of Independence of 1821

When Greece fought for its independence from the Ottoman Empire, Pylos was an important place. After a long siege, the local Greeks managed to take control, though there were sad events during this time.

The Naval Battle of Navarino (20 October 1827)

In 1827, a big naval battle happened near Pylos. Ships from Britain, France, and Russia fought against the Ottoman and Egyptian fleets. The battle was a big win for the allies and helped Greece gain its independence.

The liberation of Pylos (6 October 1828) and the construction of the modern city

In 1828, French troops helped free Pylos from Ottoman control. The modern city of Pylos was built soon after, following plans inspired by French and Ionian styles. Many improvements were made to the town, and it became an important place in the new Greek state.

20th century

In the 20th century, Pylos was used as a place to hold political opponents under a strict government. It was also an important town in its area for many years.

21st century

Since 2011, Pylos has been the seat of the Pylos-Nestor municipality. Sadly, in 2023, a boat carrying many immigrants and refugees capsized near the coast, leading to many deaths.

Geography

The city of Pylos is found at the base of a hill that leads up to Mount Aghios Nikolaos, which stands at 482 meters tall and has an old fortress on top. It lies at the southwest end of the Peloponnese, along the beautiful Ionian coast. Pylos is a busy place for ships and has become a popular spot for tourists because of its stunning coastline. Nearby is a narrow island of Sphacteria, which helps protect Navarino Bay, making the port of Pylos very safe for ships.

Pylos has great roads and all the modern services a city needs. Greek National Road 82 starts in Pylos and can take you to Kalamata in under an hour, and from there to Athens in about two hours. Kalamata International Airport, also called Captain Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos Airport, is growing fast. It has many regular flights to big cities in Greece and many special flights during the tourist season from places all over the world.

In the 2021 census, the area around Pylos called Pylos-Nestor had 17,194 people living there. The Pylos part alone had 4,559 people, and just the town of Pylos had 2,568. This makes Pylos the seventh biggest town in Messenia.

Urban landscape

Navarino castles

Pylos has two old castles: the Frankish Paleokastro and the Ottoman Neokastro. Paleokastro is found northwest of Navarino Bay and gives a wide view from the Ionian Sea to the Plain of Pylia. Below it is a cave linked to ancient stories. Neokastro, south of the bay, looks out over the island of Sphacteria and the bay. It holds an old church that has changed over time but still stands well.

Navarino aqueduct

South of Pylos is an old aqueduct built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. It carried water from two places north of Pylos to the Neokastro castle. The aqueduct was repaired in the 19th century and helped provide water to the town until the early 1900s.

Pylos city center

Pylos sits against two hills, with Neokastro on one. The town has many stone houses from the 1800s, built with gardens and narrow streets. The central square, called the Square of the Three Admirals, has old shops, cafes, and markets under covered walkways.

Near the sea is a street leading to the modern port, with traditional fish restaurants. The port area includes the City Hall and a museum inside a house once lived in by a famous athlete. An old school building now plans to become a public library.

The central square of the Three Admirals

The central square of Pylos was built in 1829 and has a triangle shape, opening to the sea on one side. It features covered walkways with arches and columns, similar to towns in France and the Ionian Islands. The square has markets, cafes, and restaurants, with old trees giving shade. In the middle stands a monument for a famous sea battle, with three important leaders remembered.

Churches

The eastern slope of Pylos hill has the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which still holds services. Inside Neokastro is the former Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, now used for exhibitions.

The port and the marina

Pylos Port is safe for ships and often used during storms in the Mediterranean. Its location makes it a good stop for travel to the Cyclades, Dodecanese Islands, and Crete. The port has a modern pier and welcomes many cruise ships in summer. East of the port is a marina that is being updated to support growing tourism in the area.

Around Pylos

The Palace of Nestor

Main article: Palace of Nestor

North of Pylos, about 17 kilometers away, is a hill called Ano Englianos. Here stands the Palace of Nestor, a very old building from around 1600–1200 BC. It is one of the best-preserved palaces from that time in Greece. You can see parts like a throne room, passageways, big storage rooms, and special baths. Near the palace, there is an old tomb shaped like a dome that was restored in 1957. In 2015, nearby, scientists found a tomb filled with beautiful and delicate treasures, showing that Pylos had connections with faraway places like Egypt.

The Archaeological Museum of Chora

Main article: Archaeological Museum of Chora

The Archaeological Museum of Chora is in the village of Chora, just 4 kilometers from the Palace of Nestor. The museum was built in 1969 to show artifacts found in the area, including treasures from the Palace of Nestor. The museum has three rooms with different items like pots, weapons, jewelry, and wall paintings. Some of the pieces come from old tombs and the palace itself.

The lagoon of Gialova and the beaches of Voïdokilia and Divari

Main articles: Gialova Lagoon and Voidokilia beach

Near Pylos, there is a special wetland called Gialova Lagoon, which is very important for birds. Many birds from Europe and Africa stop here. You can see many kinds of birds, like flamingos and herons. There is also a small beach called Voidokilia, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is next to the sea and a quiet lagoon. You can walk to the beach from the village of Gialova or Petrochori.

Events

Every year around October 20, starting in 2017, Pylos holds celebrations called the "Navarinia" to remember a big battle that happened long ago. These events last several days and end with a special show by the navy and ships from different countries. There are also fireworks and a big light show.

Before the main day, there are many other fun activities like parades, music, and dancing. Even though these happen when most tourists have left for the season, many people still come to watch. In 2025, an important meeting for the Olympic Games was also held in Pylos.

Notable people

Pylos has been home to many famous people throughout history. Nestor, a hero from Greek mythology and the wise king of Pylos, was known for his role in the Trojan War. Another mythological figure, Periclymenus, was also a son of Neleus and Chloris and joined the journey of the Argonauts.

In more recent times, Pylos has been connected to important leaders and explorers. Edward Codrington was a British admiral who led his country's fleet in the Battle of Navarino. Lodewijk van Heiden commanded the Russian fleet in the same battle, and Henri de Rigny did the same for France. Nicolas-Joseph Maison was a high-ranking French military leader and government official. Joseph-Victor Audoy helped design and build the modern city of Pylos in the early 1800s.

Archaeologist Carl Blegen led the first excavations of the Palace of Nestor in the mid-20th century. Konstantinos Tsiklitiras was an Olympic athlete from Pylos who won several medals in the early 1900s. More recently, Antonis Samaras served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 2012 to 2015.