Pylos in Messinia

Pylos is a Greek destination located in the prefecture of Messinia, within the area of the Peloponnese. By visiting Pylos, tourists could find a variety of attractions located not only in this destination but also in its surroundings since there are many other attractive spots to meet nearby. This destination counts with a very interesting past and history which can be told through the interpretation of drawings and tablets found within some ruins.

The first inhabitants of Pylos can be traced back to the Middle Bronze Age, being one of the first inhabited spots in the region. One of its most symbolic constructions, the Palace of Pylos, was built around the year 1300 BC, towards endings of the Late Bronze Age. Some discoveries have shown the fact that this palace was built over the ruins of an oldest construction.

The remains of the Mycenean Palace of Pylos, known as the Palace of Nestor, are considered unique in its kind due to several factors. One important aspect that provides this palace with its uniqueness is its size and date of construction. There is no other palace with equal characteristics in the Peloponnese, as well as there is not another Mycenaean construction sharing similar characteristics in the entire Greece.

There is an important amount of information discovered though the interpretation of Linear Tablets drawn in stones which were found in the area of Pylos. These tablets allow us to know how the society and life was towards the first centuries of history in the area. According to these interpretations, the kingdom was divided in two main provinces known as Hither and Further, or “This side of the Aigaleon” and “Beyond Aigaleon”.

The two main antique provinces of Pylos were divided into several districts. The area of Pylos was the capital of the province known as Hither and the main and central place of the Kingdom. The districts of each province would count with a main governor, a deputy, and officials who would be responsible of distributing bronze for the creation of weapons. The economy of the Kingdom of Pylos was based on the trade of bronze, the production of oil, and the production of wine.