It is located in the historic center of the city, very close to the Cathedral. It was founded in 1796 by a monk from Kalamata named Gerasimos Papadopoulos. While it was the first monastery for women in the region and it has been operating non-stop from the day it opened until today.
It is dedicated to St Constantine and St Helen and it is built on the ruins of an old temple of 13th century, parts of which are still visible. The history of the monastery is linked with the history of the city since for more than two centuries it has been among others a refuge for abandoned children of the broader area.
The main reason the monastery has become famous though is the cultivation and processing of silk that led to the growth of silk textiles, especially silk vestments, tablecloths, curtains, and mostly the famous handkerchief of Kalamata, the items produced at the monastery has received several awards.
There is a museum inside the convent where the visitor can see relics of various saints, sacred vessels, vestments, precious pictures as well as a rich library consisted of theological and other books.