Picturesque Kopanaki (formerly known as Kopanakion) is 18 km from Kyparissia and has about 900 permanent residents. It is built on the Meligalas plain, at an altitude of 181 metres.
The habitation data of the wider area date back to the Early Helladic / Late Helladic period, as in 1980, near Kopanaki, the ruins of a rural settlement were located. Today, the findings of the excavations are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Messinia in Kalamata. Various other archaeological evidence confirms the continuous human presence in the area during historical times.
During World War II, Kopanaki played an essential role in the resistance, as it was one of the first cities where the Greeks started organising their resistance against the Germans. In fact, at the beginning of July 1941, the New Friend’s Society was founded in the raisin house (ASO Kopanaki).
In Kopanaki, visitors can see the traditional houses, the Monument of the Fallen (at the main square), as well as the Agios Georgios’ and Agios Ioannis Prodromos’ temples, the church of Profitis Ilias and the chapel of Panagitsa (Zoodochos Pigi).
Kopanaki is primarily known for its Sunday bazaar, an institution for the wider area, gathering many visitors at its central square. The well-known gournopoula (roast pork) sold by the kilo next to the street is honoured at the bazaar.
