The village is about 20 kilometres from Kalamata. It is one of the newer built settlements of Mani, founded in the 19th century; in 1928 it had 115 residents and an exceptional agricultural production of olive oil, grapes, figs and wine. Its name originates from the family Kaliani.
The village has some important churches designated as preserved, such as the church of Agios Nikolaos, built in the 13th to 14th century and recently restored, and of Prophet Elias, that belongs to the Rousakis family.