Messolonghi

A place of sacred history and natural wonders

Messolonghi is the capital town of Aetolia-Acarnania in Western Greece, known for being the site of  dramatic sieges during the War of Independence against the Ottoman empire and for the death of the philhellenic poet Lord Byron.

The town is dominated by vast salt water lagoons that are home to amazing bird concentrations, depending on the season and the weather. Flocks of pelicans and noisy flamingos being the focus for many photographers.

Situated between two lagoons and two rivers (Evinos and Acheloos) is a majestic wetland, every photographer’s and nature lovers paradise. Forming a back drop are the slopes of the Arakinthos mountain with the ruins of two very important ancient cities Calydon and Pleuron. Both participated in the two great ancient Greek sieges of the Argonauts and Trojans. Their impressive walls and ruins connect us with their glorious past and add to the dynamic of this unexplored dot on the map of Greece.

Messolonghi is famous for having the biggest sea salt production in the Balkans. From the salt-pans to the salt-mountains and the salt-marinated fish delicatessen, everything around salt is another source of inspiration and delight.

Due to the heroic resistance of the population and the subsequent massacre of its residents by the Ottoman forces, the town of Messolonghi received the honorary title of Hiera Polis (Sacred City). The “Exodus of its Guards” (The Sortie) on the night of April 10, 1826 is commemorated every year on Palm Sunday weekend.

The rich history of Messolonghi is something our tours will help you discover first hand from locals who are passionate about carrying their history forward. The more you get to know the story of the place, the better your photographs will be at telling it’s stories.

Whether you choose to come at Easter, the greatest celebration in Greece, for the unique panigyri  (religious festival) of Agios Simeon or to pick olives in November, you will experience first hand a real taste of provincial and rural life and live like a local with us.