Palace of Nestor

Put on your holiday schedule a trip to the marvellous Palace of Nestor, the wise king of Pylos. It’s one of the most significant landmarks in the Peloponnese and the best preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece.

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The marvellous Palace of Nestor, the wise king of Pylos, is one of the most significant landmarks of Messinia and the best preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece. The archaeological site is covered by a bioclimatic pergola. The latest excavations in the palace have brought to light at least one thousand Linear B tablets, providing scientists with a lot of information on Mycenaean era.

NESTOR 
Pylos was among the kingdoms that thrived in the 14th-13th century BC, and its famous king, Nestor, is a prominent figure in the Homeric epics. He was son of Neleus and Chloris. He was dubbed “Gerenian”, because he was in Gerenia, the city in Laconia or Messinia, when Hercules killed Neleus and eleven of his children, but he himself lived. He participated in the war against the Centaurs, in the quest of the Golden Fleece, and in the Trojan War. Homer describes him as a wise and sensible old man, who Achaeans always listen to.

THE PALACE
Traces of human activity on the hill of Epano Englianos date back to Neolithic age (4000-3100 BC). In Middle Helladic period (2050-1680 BC), a settlement with a bailey was built. The palace complex discovered by archaeologists consists of four buildings. The oldest one is identified with the palace of Neleus, Nestor’s father. The central building is the famous palace of Nestor. To the east of it, there is another building probably associated with activities of craftsmen, whereas the Wine Storage Room contained jars for wine.  
Made of stone and wood, the palace was burned down by a great fire around 1200 B C.
The Mycenaean complex was a two-storey structure, with large courtyards, storage rooms, private quarters, workshops, a bathhouse, etc. Impressive wall paintings decorated the rooms - in fact, representations of a lion and a gryphon have been preserved next to the throne. Apart from that, the representation of a procession of men and women leading a bull to sacrifice has been preserved. Paintings covered also the flooring. In specific, in front of the throne, there was a depiction of a giant octopus. In the complex, the throne room stands out . where the king heard the prominent members and practised his religion. The throne, probably decorated with valuable materials, has not been preserved.  
The hearth was decorated with paintings. and next to it was placed an offering table made of clay. Overall, this proves the wealth of the kingdom and the high level art had achieved. 
The kingdom’s prosperity is also attested in the Linear B tablets with 
information on its administrative structure and financial affairs.

EXCAVATIONS
In 1939, K. Kourouniotis located the Palace of Nestor. His research was completed by Carl Blegen of the University of Cincinnati, USA. When World War II broke out, the excavations were paused and resumed in 1952. 
Although the biggest part of the palace has already been brought to light, excavations are still ongoing. 
You will see some of the archaeological findings from the site of the Palace of Nestor at the Archaeological Museum of Pylos. The Museum of Chora, where they were earlier exhibited, is being renovated and will reopen by the end of 2023. 
Between 2012-2015, the replacement of the old pergola with a new bioclimatic one took place in the archaeological site. Upgrade and development projects were also done - such as tour routes, an information centre, etc. 
Resources: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messinia, To Vima, arxaia-ellinika.blogspot. 

THE MYCENAEAN THOLOS TOMB
At a distance of about 145 m., to the northeast of the Palace, in the early Mycenaean age (1550-1500 BC), a tholos tomb was built, which, although looted, has offered valuable findings. It was used for royal burials throughout 15th century BC, maybe up to the 13th century BC. The city extended over the hill terraces and slopes. 

Did you know that

The Palace of Nestor is located on the hill of Ano Englianos, 17 km north of Pylos.

Tel.: 27630 31437 

Visiting hours: 08.00-20.00, closed on Tuesdays.

Location

Find the destination on the interactive map below.