Kalamata is the city of southwestern Peloponnese and the capital of Messinia. It is the second largest city in the Peloponnese after Patras and it is 255 km away from Athens, the capital of Greece. The city lies along the Nedon river at the head of the Messenian Gulf and it is believed that Kalamata is one of the most charismatic cities due to its geographical position and its mild Mediterranean climate, which makes the city an administrative, commercial and financial center.