Editing Messene (section)

===City walls===

[[File:Messini walls 01.JPG|thumb|A watchtower in the circuit wall]]
Messene was surrounded by a circuit wall {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=off}} — {{convert|9|m|ft|abbr=off}} high.<ref name=Alcock179-180/> It was fortified by 30 square or horseshoe-shaped guard towers (and probably barracks) with doors admitting passage to a protected walkway on top of the wall. The wall was pierced by two main gates flanked by protective structures and rectangular in shape with a lintel of a single, massive beam of limestone. Through the Arcadia Gate to the north ran and still runs the main road north (to Arcadia), currently{{when|date=July 2021}} from Mavromati. As Mavromati is the location of the major spring capture, klepsydra, it was probably the first stop for travellers to the city.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} From there a road runs over the ridge adjoining Mounts Ithome and Eva to the Laconia Gate, similar to the Arcadia Gate. The wall runs straight up the ridge but does not encompass Mount Eva. Today the next stop on the road is the monastery, Mone Voulkanou, set into the lower southeast flank of Mounts Eva.