Kalamata's Municipal Market

Every Wednesday and Saturday the new Municipal Market hosts the Kalamata farmers' market. It's 30 years old now, but we say new to distinguish it from the old market, which now houses the Archaeological Museum of Messinia.

Producers from all over the region arrive at the crack of dawn to set up their stands around the market's main shops - the fishmongers, butchers, cheese stalls and greengrocers.

It's a coincidence that a travel agent who deals with cruise tourism to Kalamata told us that the place most interesting sight, according to visitors lucky enough to be there when it's open, is their tour of the farmers' market.

Here, depending on the season, some things to look for amongst the greens, vegetables and fruit, are herbs and tisanes from the slopes of Taygetos, 'heiragatha' (a special green that grows at high altitudes, is eaten boiled and turned into a therapeutic drink) from the mountain's peak, 'felitsi' and 'angouritsa' (local greens), chestnuts, walnuts, sweet potatoes, Artemisio potatoes (a tasty local variety), pink grapes and honeys from the region.