In western Greece, a sacred place welcomes you to the beauty and richness of its lagoon.
Even the best cinematographer could not reproduce the light that makes the lagoon of Messolonghi appear golden at sunset. Between the lagoons, Mesolonghi (mezzo laghi), a flat town, loved by cyclists, friendly to families with children. A city of heroes, a source of inspiration for the famous Philhellenic Lord Byron and the national poet of Greece Dionysios Solomos. The ivaria, the gaites - fishing boats without a keel -, the fishing huts on stilts, the islet of Kleisova, the islet of Agios Sostis compose a charming, cinematic scene in the area of Messolonghi. In Western Greece, Messolonghi shares its secrets with you.
Worth seeing in Messolonghi
In the "holy" Messolonghi: besieged, but free
Monument of history and culture. Symbol of the freedom of Greece. The heroic exodus of the besieged civilians and warriors in April 1826, which was a milestone in world military history, was the reason for declaring the city holy by decree in 1937.
One of the largest wetlands in the Mediterranean
The lagoon of Messolonghi-Aitolikos together with the Delta of the Achelous and Evinos rivers constitutes one of the largest wetlands of the Mediterranean. They were created in the last 10,000 years and stretch from the foot of Varasova to the bay of Astakos, along a 50 km coastline. It is one of the most important wetlands in Greece, protected by the Ramsar Convention. Over 200 species of birds find refuge here.
Roe: the "weakness" of the sultan
Famous throughout the world, this unique product of Greece is produced here and registered as a Product of Designation of Origin (PDO) of the lagoons - one of the five in Europe. In the years of the Turkish rule, it was taken directly to the sultan's harem!
Walk in the garden of heroes
Children love the green garden of heroes created in 1830 by order of Governor Kapodistrias. A number of sights welcome you here: you'll see tombs of fighters from the 1821 Revolution and Lord Byron. Then you will enter the Museum of History and Art housed in a neoclassical building of 1932, and the Folklore Museum. The Contemporary Art Gallery includes a great collection of works by Greek painters, sculptors and engravers of the 20th century. A city that loves art and honors the history of Greece, without forgetting its role as a host: city hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants welcome visitors all year round.
The hidden treasures of Messolonghi
Kayaking among the flamingos
In this corner of Greece, the calm waters of the lagoon are offered all year round for tourist kayaking. If you sail across the Kleisova lagoon to the islet of Agios Sostis, you might have flamingos as your fellow travelers.
Walk to Aetoliko
It is only 12 km from Messolonghi. The coastal route will reward you with the wonderful view of the lagoon. Whereas, if you go during the season when they collect the salt, you will see the large salt flats and the "mountains" of salt. The town is "crammed" on an islet, which separates the lagoon of Messolongion from that of Aitoliko. The coastal walk to the northern end of Aitolikos, in the lagoon, is peaceful. The gaze lingers on small houses with vegetables, stables with horses, birds and boats floating on the water.
Acrobats on the lake
The human figures seem to be acrobating a 5km long strip of land. It has a designated bicycle path and connects Messolonghi with the island of Tourlida since 1885. The time of sunset is indescribable, since the sun dips into the still waters and enlivens them with its golden light. Here you will enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Greece. Along the way, the gaze caresses the gaites (fishing boats without keels), the fishing huts on the stilts (pelades), the small island of Kleisova with the church of Agia Triada, Mavri Aliki (an expanse of salt).
Source : discovergreece.com
