The village of Karveli (the former name was Koutsava Karveli) is located on the slopes of Western Taygetus. It is built at an altitude of 650 metres and is 19 kilometres from Kalamata. The village has approximately 60 permanent residents. The river Nedon stretches to the west. The village’s original position was different from the one it is today. Specifically, it was located a little higher than the Ladokarveliotiko double-arched bridge, in the Paliochora position, near the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. This results from the remains of the demolished walls of the first Christian church of the Holy Apostles and various ruined buildings.
From ancient times until 31 BC., the village belonged to Messenia, while from 31 BC. until 25 AD, it belonged to Laconia. During the 8th century, Meligion Slavs, who created the settlement Koutsava Karveli, whose name comes from the primary settlers called Karvelis, settled in the area of Paliochora.
For hiking lovers, just before Karveli, there is a characteristic spring on the side of the road, which marks the beginning of the path that stretches along a beautiful route and leads to the traditional village of Lada. Also, at a distance of 1.5 kilometres from Karveli, the visitor can see the Dormition Monastery (Sideroporta). Many of the buildings that belong to the old monastery have been renovated in recent decades. The monastery got its name from the iron door brought from Constantinople by its founder in the 16th century. Also, the Dormition Monastery, together with other monasteries, was a stronghold of the Revolution of 1821.
Every year, in Karveli, the Cultural Association "Panagia Sideroporta" organises a traditional festival with live music, food and wine. Finally, Petros Psomas, priest and founder of the Sideroporta Monastery, and the fallen on the Albanian Front, Theodoros Petropoulos and Fotios Karvelis, came from Karveli. Also, the Greek American actress, Olympia Dukakis, is partly from Karveli (on her mother's side).
