Koroni, a picturesque town by the sea, is built on the eastern edge of the new municipality of Pylos-Nestoras. Koroni and Methoni, standing opposite each other, constitute the two sister-cities which are guarding the Messenian first finger of the Peloponnese. Koroni, standing on a promontory and being surrounded with strong walls, bears a long history. It has a harbor and a beautiful seacoast. Modern Koroni is situated in the region of ancient Asini. Through the examination of the archaeological finds, ancient Koroni was located a few kilometers northern of Modern Koroni, in the area of Petalidi. The Franks, Venetians, Turks and Genoese are some of the several major powers which conquered the region, having left behind the indelible marks of their presence.
The narration of the struggle begins with the occupation of Constantinople by the Franks in 1204. Thereupon, Koroni was subjected to Venetian rule. The Venetians – however – proceeded to important fortification undertakings both in Koroni and Methoni. This would ensure the creation of a strong base for their navy, from where they would control the naval routes and most importantly, the commercial activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, as we learn from the book of Giorgos and Thanos Papathanasopoulos (“Pylos-Pylia: A journey through space and time”), according to the ancient sources the region was also very important to the Venetians for its wealthy agricultural production. Messenia remains to this day a very fertile area. After three whole centuries (1500), Koroni passed into Turkish possession, while in 1532 Charles V decided to take the region under his control (the first king of Spain was Charles I who hailed from three royal dynasties of Europe).
Koroni is easily accessible by road. The access road is the central road which was recently widened and continues up to the first houses of the town. As you enter the inhabited area, it noticeably becomes a bit narrower. Sightseers should then take the downhill road which leads to the port where they can park their vehicle and walk along the beach. There, visitors can also have a coffee or lunch at one of the several cafés/restaurants which are just steps away from the beautiful central beach of Koroni. There is also a coastal road leading to the town of Koroni. This drive is more convenient for those who are coming from Methoni or Foinikounta. If you take this road, you should turn right at the widening of the central road and then, go straight ahead until you reach the end of the road.
During your stay in Koroni, do not miss the nice walk up to the Castle. Inside the castle, you will enjoy the view of the various buildings and churches which constitute a great part of the rich cultural heritage of the town. You will see the women’s Monastery of Timios Prodromos, the cemetery and the church of Agios Charalambos which was unfortunately burnt in 2012, and the relics of the church of Agia Sophia. Inside the castle, you will also see that there is a number of modern houses and cultivable lands that are still in use in the present days by the inhabitants of Koroni. If you take the exit path right after the cemetery, you will find yourselves in front of the church of Panagia Eleistria. The church was built in 1900 on the exact spot where the icon of Eleistria was found a few years ago, and thus it was dedicated to the patron saint of the town. The church of Panagia Eleistria celebrates on the day when the Greeks honour Zoodochos Pigi, the first Friday after Easter. Various religious ceremonies are being held in this church, especially in the summer months.
For your bathe we suggest you to choose the wide and quite busy in the summer beach of Zanga. Another interesting choice is the beach under the Castle (Gate B) which is more quiet and not that famous. Therefore, it is never flooded by the crowds of tourists. Around Koroni in a radius of a few kilometres you will find many more beaches (most of them are unknown even to the locals due to the lack of a proper road signal system that would lead to them).