The village of Stenyklaros is one of the oldest in Messinia, 4 km from Meligalas and 34 km from Kalamata. It is built in two fertile valleys, Agios Ioannou and Agios Petros and its name is due to the ancient city of Stenyklaro that was located in the wider area. According to the traveller Pausanias, it was built by the mythical hero Stenykleros.
The first king of Messina, Cresephonis, built his palace in Stenyklaros, making the city his seat. During the first Messenian wars, Stenyclaros was the scene of clashes between the Messenians and the Spartans and was destroyed by the victorious Lacedaemonians. In the area, ruins of ancient baths have been discovered near the Xastero stream (Lefkasia).
