Messini has about 6.000 inhabitants. It is built at the end of the homonymous plain, near the bank of Pamissos river. It lies at the south part of the Prefecture and it is about 10km west of Kalamata.
Ancient Messeni was built near the village Mavromati, on the west foot of Ithome mountain, where the ruins of the city are saved. It was built and fortified by the Thebian general Epaminondas, in 369 BC.