H Αρχαία Πόλη της Μεσσήνης και η Κατασκευή ενός Δρόμου Ασφαλείας που να Οδηγεί στην Αθάνατη Ομορφιά της

 

                                                                  Ancient Messene

Παραθέτουμε μία  γραπτή έκκληση στα Αγγλικά για ευρεία ανάγνωση από τους φίλους της ιστοσελίδας μας και όχι μόνο, όσον αφορά τη σημαντικότητα κατασκευής ενός κατάλληλου δρόμου που να οδηγεί στην αρχαία πόλη της Μεσσήνης, στην Ακρόπολη ψηλά στην Ιθώμη. Επίσης, για την ασφαλτόστρωση του 270 μέτρων δρόμου στο γήπεδο Μαρακανά Κάμπου Βαλύρας. Ευελπιστούμε ότι τόσο τα Κράτος, ο Δήμος Μεσσήνης, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, αλλά και κάποιοι ιδιώτες επιχειρηματίες ή δωρητές θα ευαισθητοποιηθούν και θα εμπλακούν ενεργά σε αυτή την προσοδοφόρα επένδυση, που αναδεικνύει τη Μεσσηνία παγκοσμίως , αυξάνοντας την τουριστική ζήτηση, παράλληλα αναβαθμίζει την πολιτιστική ζωή στην όμορφη περιοχή της Ιθώμης.

The Ancient Capital of Messene in Peloponnese Greece and the construction of a safe road to lead to its immortal beauty

Excavations since the late 1800s have brought to light Messene, the capital of Messenia of Epaminondas and the bravest of all Aristomenis. Although the ancient city was founded by Epaminondas during the same period in which he constructed Megalopolis (369 BC), the origin of the ancient acropolis of Messene has been identified as that Pherai sung by Homer.

In the 4^th century BC, around the ancient fortress-sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Ithomi was erected a circle of walls, almost 5 miles in length. There remain today only a few scattered ruins, nonetheless hold the secrets of ancient history of Messinians, indicating their path for dignity and freedom, human rights and independence of their beloved place. From the Arcadian tower-gate, a road leads to the ancient site. The archaeological hoe of Peter Themelis and his expert team started to restore the ancient archaeological site, since the middle 1980s, so the capital of Messene successfully regained its ancient glory in our days! We can admire a vast country yard accessible through a propylon, a Roman theater, a temple which arose above a vast natural terrace and the agora. On the later arose the Temple of Asklepios, the Synedrion of Hellenistic times and the fountain of Arsenoe, as Pausanias describes in details.

                            The Ancient Messene Theater.Photo: Liberal.gr

Until 1982 AC , the Greek Ministy of Civilization had postponed any effort and/or investment concerning the restoration and maintenance of the ancient capital of Messene. During the above mentioned year , Thamyris Cultural Association was established at Varyra Messenias, named after the ancient Thracian Singer, by local well-educated graduates. Among them was mr John E. Linardos, an economist and reporter. Mr Linardos was well- inspired by the readings of Pausanias and the renaming of his beautiful village Tzaferemini to Valyra , since 1927, also was greatly satisfied by his often visits to acropolis of Messene, at the mountain of Ithomi. The Acropolis of his religious ancestors, of hero Aristomenis, was a great motive to introduce and stably include the Ithomian Games, to the main cultural activities of Thamyris, with great success. Since then, the Ithomian Games take place annually, when Valyra celebrates “The Holy Spirit”, at the Byzantine church of Holy Trinity (Agia Triada), near the ancient river of Valyra. The heroic ancient past of Messene comes along with the glorious Christian present, both united perfectly under the global idea of peace.

                            Mr Peter Themelis. Photo: Archaeologia Oneline

The success of Ithomian Games attracted the attention of Melina Mercouri, the Minister of Civilization during that period, so she visited the ancient capital of Messene. Since then, the written proposal of mr Peter Themelis for “the archaeological restoration of the ancient capital of Messene” received approval and was funded after a sort period of time.

Best friend of mr John E. Linardos and one of the main supporters of Asteras FC Sports Club of Valyra is mr Chris P. Papageorge, sports reporter of ERT/ERA in Kalamata city.

“Primal goal, for our local community is the construction of a road for the safe and easy access to the ancient capital of Messene by visitors . The ancient acropolis of Messene is an attractive destination for tourists all over the world”, said mr John E. Linardos and greatly supports the sports reporter , the well-known mr Chris P. Papageorge.

“A life dream is the construction of two roads , one that leads to ancient capital of Messene and the 270 meters road near the Marakana grass football field of Valyra. The construction of both roads are necessary for the economic and cultural development of the area , supported mr Chris P. Papageorge.

Messinia is a rich place in natural assets, also possesses a complex history, as we learn from early years at high school.

The capital of Messene is a cornerstone of classical art and symbol of the profound spirit of brave and religious Messenians. It is worth visiting this marvelous ancient site and breath the air of the first queen “Messene”, the beloved mother of Messinias, whom Messinian citizens wished her soul to choose to live with them, at their home, according to Pausanias.

Local political leaders and individual contributors should unite their efforts so that the construction of the  roads to acropolis of Messene ,  and at Marakana grass football field of Valyra come true soon.

God Bless you!

Effie E. Kondopoulou

14/11/2022