Malthi is considered the oldest mountainous settlement of the region that appears since the time of the first Greek tribes. Excavations that began in 1912 revealed the archaeological site of Malthi, but also the best preserved vaulted tomb in Messinia that preserves its dome intact.
In later years, Malthi is connected with the Greek Revolution of 1821, as Theodoros Kolokotronis was born in the area of ancient Malthi, on Mount Ramovouni, on 3 April 1770. A statue of the Old Man of Moria on horseback has been erected under a tree at the place where it is assumed that he was born.
During the Turkish occupation and until 1927 the village was called Bodias. Its inhabitants, even today, live from the cultivation of olives and produce excellent quality olive oil. Finally, it is worth noting that in recent years local residents who had previously moved to towns have returned to the area, renovating their family homes to use them mainly as holiday homes.
