The famous border sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis is located at the site of “Volimnos”, on the Messenian side of Mount Taygetos, at an altitude of approximately 900 m, above the modern village of Nedousa. The chapel of Panagia Volimniotissa or Kapsocherovolousa, which is located there, features ancient architectural members and inscriptions incorporated on its external walls, that mention the name of the ancient goddess worshipped. Bronze votive offerings, pottery, inscriptions and other findings attest to the sanctuary’s operation from the Early Geometric period (mid 8th century BC) to Late Antiquity (3rd/4th century AD). The sanctuary at Volimnos is linked to the killing of Spartan king Teleklos by the Messenians. This event is said to have sparked the First Messenian War in the 8th century BC. T

he sanctuary was established in the fertile region of central Taygetos, which was known as Detheliatis in ancient times. This area was of great strategic importance. It supervised the mountain passes from Laconia to Messenia and was fiercely claimed by both the Lacedaemonians and the Messenians. It was dedicated to Artemis as the patroness of boundaries, childbirth and the transition of girls from childhood to married life, while Roman inscriptions attest to the performance of games on her feast day. Women’s offerings to the goddess found in the area of Volimnos, such as bronze mirrors, brooches, pins, vase handles, etc. are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Messenia in Kalamata.