PAMISOS RIVER

Text by Nikos Aivalis, research by Elpida Zografidou, translation by Eva Trombetas

In this feature we are heading south, specifically to Messinia. On the slopes of Mount Lykaion, in neighboring Arcadia, from the springs at Agios Floros and Pidima, a river begins, which flows by northern Taygetos, crosses all of Messinia from north to south, to reach the Messinian Gulf, between Kalamata and Messine. This river is called Pamisos, so let's get to know it.

Pamisos river is the largest river in Messinia with a length of 44 km. The river is known since antiquity as it is mentioned by Strabo and Pausanias, who mentions that it was a clean and floating river. Pamisos was deified by the ancient Messinians, because of the life offered by the river, but it is also said to have had healing benefits, as it had the capacity of a healer, something in which for sure plays a role the fact that, at the sources of the river in Agios Floros, there was a sanctuary of Asclepius. Unfortunately, nowadays the river faces the same problems that most rivers in Greece face: over-pumping for the plain water supply, pollution from human activities and neglect by the state and the competent bodies. The result of these unpleasant situations is the degradation of the river and the destruction of its natural wealth. Nevertheless, the river continues to be a source of life for the fauna and flora of the area.

Pamisos river

The flora around Pamisos includes willows, plane trees, poplars, wickers, reeds, while there are also water lilies, irises, wild garlic, fritillaria, orchids and more. The bird fauna that we find in the river is very important, as there are herons, coots, dallinula chloropus ducks, snipes, ducks, eurasian blue tits and many other species. There are predators like short-toed eagles, buzzards, circus aeruginosus, eurasian sparrowhawks, owls and more. Among the mammals we find the traditional species that exist in the Peloponnese: otters, jackals, badgers, foxes, ferrets, hedgehogs etc. When it comes to reptiles and amphibians we find frogs, toads, vipers, balkan whip snakes, water snakes, peloponnesian lacerta viridis lizards, algyroides moreoticus lizards, testudo marginata Schoepff turtles and river turtles. The fish fauna consists of the golden menida, the extremely rare laconic pelasgos, river urchins, mullets, eels and more. You can take a look at our relevant article, in which we mention many endemic species of the Peloponnesian fauna, see here: Tribute to fauna of the Peloponnese.

Pamisos river

In the 1950s, a dam was built on the river, near the Aris area, to supply water to the surrounding areas. The river used to be suitable for fishing, but the destruction of its natural environment, as mentioned above, has significantly reduced the inhabitants population near the river.

Pamisos dam and bridge

This was our feature about the river Pamisos. We wish soon all the competent bodies to work hard so that the river is healthy again.