The Kalamata tram

In 1898, the then mayor of Kalamata, Petros Ant. Mavromichalis, came to an agreement with the German company Hindermann & Co. for the installation of an electric power station in the city. The goal was to both provide electrical power to Kalamata and establish an electric tram system. However, the contract was never implemented. In 1908, when Benakis served as mayor, a concession was granted to Ippokratis Apergis for the installation and operation of electric tramways. As part of this project, two tram lines were built to connect the city with the beachfront. One line began at Kato Plateia (Lower Square), passed through Aristomenous Street, and ended at the beach, at the junction with Neos Dromos (now Faron Street). The other line started at Fragkolimna Square, passed along Neos Dromos, and ended at the junction of Faron and Navarinou Streets. The two lines were inaugurated in April 1910. The company established by I. Apergis to operate the Kalamata tramway was called Electric Tramways of Kalamon. In 1915, the tram network was extended to serve the Upper Town (Pano Poli) as well. After 30 years of operation, the tram in Kalamata ceased running in 1940. The removal of the tram tracks took place gradually and was completed in 1962. Pictured: The main street of Kalamata leading to the SPAP (Piraeus–Athens–Peloponnese Railways) station during the interwar years. On the left, the tram can be seen, which was one of the city's defining features at the time.

©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.