The small town Koroni, nearly at the southernmost point of the Messinian peninsula, with its roughly 3000 residents lives from the agricultural products and from a reasonable balanced tourism.
The surroundings invite for different activities:
One can visit secluded, unique greek villages or archaeological sites in the area, the beaches offer possibilities for all kinds of watersports and night life can be enjoyed in a bar and also extended in the disco. There are quite some restaurants and fish taverns along the harbour promenade and a lot of shops (supermarket, bakery, butchery, books & newspapers, souvenirs...) can be found.
During high season Koroni is quite well visited but still kept its relaxed, authentic greek way of living. For to drive through the narrow streets of Koroni one must be very patient and maybe best is to find a parking at the entrance and do the small city by foot.
At its highest peak, the old venezian castle overlooks the Messinian gulf. Nowadays parts of the buildings are occupied from a womens cloister. Both, abbey and fortress can be visited.
In the back of the castle, about 1km from the center the beautiful 'Saga'-beach is located. There are some beach taverns, sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented and one can learn wind surfing. Another 1,5km further lies the unaffected and even in high season never overcrowded 'Memi'-beach.

Castle of Koroni:

The castle occupies the headland to the east of the modern town and is built on the ruins of the ancient Messenian town of Asine. It was erected in the 6th or 7th century A.D., and was used all through the Byzantine period. Koroni was captured by the Venetians in 1206 and was used as a supplying centre. In 1500 the castle was occupied by the Turk Bayazit Pasha and remained under Turkish domination until 1686 when it was recaptured by the Venetians. In 1715, when the Venetians left the Peloponnese, the castle was again dominated by the Turks who kept it until 1828, when it was liberated by the French general Maison.
For many years, the Archaeological Service has been carrying out restoration work at various buildings of the castle.

The most important monuments of the site are:

The Byzantine Castle. In the 13th century it was fortified by the Venetians who were responsible for the construction of towers and machicolations.
Byzantine church of Aghia Sophia (Holy Wisdom). Three-aisled basilica with colonnades. A second church was built over the prothesis, also dedicated to Aghia Sophia and was reconstructed at the beginning of the century.
Church of St. Charalambos. Spacious, single-aisled, wooden-roofed church built at the beginning of the second Venetian occupation. It was originally dedicated to St. Rocco.
Church of Panaghia Eleistria. Spacious, single-aisled, wooden-roofed church, dated to the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century.

More pictures of the castle, Koroni and its beaches can be found in our picture gallery.