The Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia is a regional service of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. It is based in Kalamata and its area of responsibility extends into the Messenia Prefecture.

According to the Presidential Decree 4/2018 (Government Gazzette 7/A/22.01.2018), its operational objectives include the following:

• Scientific research, discovery, preservation, conservation, protection and enhancement, promotion and care of antiquities that date from prehistoric times to 1830, as well as modern religious monuments that date from 1830 onwards.
• Exhibition of antiquities in Museums, and participation in exhibitions in Greece and abroad.
• Study, planning, administration and execution of any archaeological project of conservation, repair, restoration, consolidation, enhancement and site planning of monuments and archaeological sites, and their immediate natural or manmade surroundings.
• Management of scientific research and publication of the antiquities.
• Management of monuments, archaeological sites, museums and their collections.
• Participation in international and European programs.
• Organization and participation in day events, conferences, and seminars.
• Planning, organization and presentation of educational programs, and promotion events of the cultural reserve.
• Publicity of promotion events, and production of printed and digital publications and educational material.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia is also responsible for the preparation and submission of proposals in cofinanced programs, and following their admission, for the execution and operation of the relevant projects.

Its priority is to prevent the destruction or alteration of direct or indirect damage to monuments. Its main concern is the safeguarding of antiquities, not just the organized archaeological sites, museums and storage areas belonging to the Ephorate but those located during on-site investigations, or which are uncovered in excavation works.

The close cooperation between foreign archaeological schools, foundations and institutes, which have carried out a series of activities over the years in the Messenia Prefecture, is part of the scientific work of the ephorate, which takes place on an interdisciplinary level with other participants. The preservation of monuments and moveable finds, the scientific publication of the results of excavations, the planning of the laying out of sites to best display them, constitutes the wider framework of the activities of the Ephorate.

The Ephorate is made up of 5 departments:

1. Department of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and Museums
2. Department of Byzantine and post-Byzantine Antiquities and Museums
3. Department of Archaeological Projects and Studies
4. Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art
5. Department of Administrative and Financial Support