This exposition includes engravings, porcelains, lithographs but also weapons. Most items are related to the Greek War of Independence. From Pylos, if you head to the South, you will arrive quickly in Methoni ? it lies only 11 km far from Pylos, on the southernmost end of the west Peloponnesian coast. This is a little town with narrow streets, and the castle lies just on the seaside ? it is easy to find. It is one of the most well-preserved and impressive castles of Greece. The entrance is free for everyone. Some information about the castle can be read on plates in English in different points of the castle. In the interior of the castle, you can see ruins of residences, Turkish baths and parts of the Byzantine church Saint Sofia. There is a fortified Citadel and a stone bridge which connects the castle with the land. The little church of the Saint Saviour (built in 1830) is preserved and functions until today. The third destination of the trip is Koroni. This village can be found to the East from Methoni, next to the Southwest corner of the Messinian Bay. Its castle was buit on a hill, and it offers a beautiful view to the sea. The entrance is for free, and inside the castle, there are many things to see. With its enormous gates, samples of gothic architecture, it immediately impresses the visitor who can admire the underground reservoirs in its interior, as well as the octagonal tower built by the Turks. There are some houses that were buit inside, but preserving the architectural harmony of the site. A lot of olive trees, a cemetery, a monastery and the ruins of a XII century church (Saint Sofia) make this place a really varied and interesting site. There are no tourist sogns inside so one should be aware what he/she wants to see.

If you wish to see the most beautiful castles of Messinia, we advise you to take the following route: Pylos ? Methoni ? Koroni. Of course, there is a lot more castles in Messinia, but these are the most astonishing and the best preserved ones. This trip can be done even in one day. You should start the trip with Pylos. This little town lays calmfully in the coast of the Navarinou Bay. Small white ?doll houses?, narrow streets, a port, many tavernas and cafeterias, any kind of shops and lots of blossoming flowers make it unforgettable. Unfortunately, there are no tourist signs leading to the castle, but the inhabitants of the town are eager to help the tourists. To enter the castle, you should climb up to a hill. The main architectural features of Niokastro, which covers an area of about 19 acres, are the two square bastions on the west side, which face the sea, the hexagonal citadel at the south-west edge, and the fortification wall, which is reinforced with four round towers and links the individual fortress complexes. From the castle, you will have a beautiful view to the sea. Don?t miss to watch the ancient (XVI century) Church of Methamorphosis inside. It was built originally by the Turks as a mosque, and has been transformed later into a Greek orthodox chuch. There is also a museum in the castle, the René Puaux collection. It exposes the items that belonged to the personal collection of René Puaux, a French reporter (end of XIX ? beginning of XX century).