The picturesque village of Kato Melpia is built at the foothills of Mount Tetrazi. It is 15 kilometres from Meligalas and 40 kilometres from Kalamata. According to historical data, the first indications of a settlement’s existence occur during Nestor’s reign, King of ancient Pylos, at the “ Grebeni “ location. In 612 BC, the area was inhabited by the Alcmaeonids, exiled by the Athenians because they were considered responsible for the death of Cyclone, who named the city Galazion. "Polis Galazion esti (This is Galazion City)" read the marble inscription found there in 1940.
In 748 AD, the village was renamed Garantza by the Slavs (meaning "safety" in their language), and in 1927, the village was renamed, once again, Melpia.
The verdant village is crossed by several rivers and stands out for its lakes, waterfalls, fountains and stone bridges. In Kato Melpia, visitors can see the Folklore Museum with unique exhibits, such as agricultural tools, household utensils, church objects, a loom, etc. The village also has a lending library.
The Melpia Castle, also known as Krebenis Castle, which dates back to the second half of the 13th century (1285), is on the hill northeast of the village. It is a fortress complex from which wall ruins, towers, buildings, a cistern and a church have been preserved.
