The old Customs House at Bouka Beach

The old Customs House is on the beach of Bouka (Messina), on a small artificial hill protecting it from the winter waves. Unfortunately, the public building is in danger of total collapse and needs immediate maintenance and restoration. It is an important monument of our cultural heritage, and combined with the surrounding natural environment, it constitutes a unique point of reference.

The customs service was created in 1833, and initially, the Customs House was housed in a makeshift building. The old Customs House was built during the first post-revolutionary years (1873), being an emblematic point for the economic development of Messina and the wider area. In the central service of the "General Archives of the State", there is the "Book of Customs Duties Collections of the Nisi (Messina) Customs", where the exports mainly concerned wine and figs. Iron, nails, and raisins are also mentioned in the exports. (Ilias Bitsanis, www.pamisos-messini.gr, September 28, 2021-info & photo)

Over time, the old Customs House suffered extensive damage. However, the occupying troops did the final blow in the summer of 1944. The Germans, fearing a possible landing of the Allies in Messenia, blew up the building of the Customs House, along with the churches along the coastal zone and a stone seaside house. Finally, in recent years, unknown people removed the canon from its place.