  The present status in the field of strange mesons in nuclei and neutron stars
is reviewed. In particular, the $\bar K N$ interaction, that is governed by the
presence of the $\Lambda(1405)$, is analyzed and the formation of the $\bar K
NN$ bound state is discussed. Moreover, the properties of $\bar K$ in dense
nuclear matter are studied, in connection with strangeness production in
nuclear collisions and kaon condensation in neutron stars.
