Theater:The first monument as you enter is the theatre, built in 3rd-2nd century BC and regarded as one of the greatest examples of its kind, reaching almost 100m in length and once seating 10,000 spectators. It was used for political gatherings as well as entertainment and has been restored to serve as a summer festival venue.
Asclepion: Along with the Agora, this was the centre of Ancient Messenian life. A 72mx67m area, with four internal stoas opening onto a courtyard, it was described by Pausanias more as a gallery of bronze statues and other artwork rather than the more typical sanatorium of the asclepions found at other sites.
Fortifications: Ancient Messene's imposing walls once stretched to 9km, broken only by Mt Ithome, which served as a natural fortification of its own. One of the city's two monumental entrances, the Arcadian Gate, has survived, along with eight impressive towers. As you look up at Mt Ithome, imagine that it too was once fortified.
Archaeological Museum: More than 12,000 findings from the excavations are kept in the on-site museum, a two-storey building by the entrance.