The archaeological site of ancient Messene is located roughly at the centre of Messenia. The city was founded in 369 BC by the Theban general Epameinondas, who had defeated the Spartans and liberated Messenia. Its name was derived from the mythical queen Messene. It developed into one of the most important cities in the Peloponnese and the thriving capital of the new Messenian state, until the end of the roman period. It was destroyed by the raiding Goths (360-370 AD), but a new important urban centre, a bishop’s seat, was organised here in the early christian period, until the 15th century. In the 10th century it is referred to as Vourkano. Although the ancient city was known to modern travellers, the excavations by Themistoklis Sofoulis, Georgios Oikonomou, Anastasios Orlandos and Petros Themelis, the latter having greatly contributed to the site’s restoration, brought to light a city well-planned according to the Hippodamian system, with monumental fortification walls, numerous public buildings of religious and political character, houses and many notable works of art. Today it is an organised visitable archaeological site; the most important finds from the excavations are kept in the nearby archaeological museum.