Kyparissia

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Kyparissia (also Kiparissia, Greek Κυπαρισσία ( f sg ) ) is a city in western Messinia in Greece. Since 1 January 2011 it is the administrative center and a district of the municipality Trifylia ( Τριφυλία ) and thus lost its status as an independent community that had existed since 1944.

Geography

The city is located on a traffic junction near the coast of the Ionian Sea between Pyrgos, 65 km away in the north and in the south of Pylos. Kyparissia is also connected with a head station on the railway network. East of the city, the narrow coastal plain goes rapidly into a karst hills. Kyparissia was the capital of the former province Tryfilia.

History

The town was founded by the foundation of an ancient fortress on a strategically located hill east of the present city center. This complex is now no longer remains are preserved. During the Byzantine period a castle was built, to which developed the still existing ancient part of the city at the same location. Some historical buildings still exist today in the immediate vicinity of the castle. Only in the 20th century, the population center shifted to the west, down into the upstream level. The modern lower town with spacious main square is today transport hub, economic center of the region and the administrative seat of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Kyparissia 1912 recognized as a rural community ( kinotita ) and 1944 for the township ( dimos ) upgraded. At the 2010 administrative reform it was merged with five other municipalities to the new community Trifylia.

Attractions

The city is rather poor in places. In the upper town remains of the Byzantine fortifications have been preserved. The view from the castle over the city and the sea is spectacular than the plant itself in the central square of the city a powerful administrative building of the Greek Orthodox church with Byzantine architecture quotes and not far from there, a new church that is not yet completely finished after many years of construction is, however, already been used.