Beauty around us / Missolonghi
A UNIQUE PLACE
Built on a peninsula between the homonymous lagoon and that of Kleisova, at the mouth of the Evinos and Acheloos rivers, Missolonghi is a rather indifferent modern small city.
The city's name probably comes from the combination of the Italian words messo and langhi (Messolanghi), meaning 'place in the middle of lakes' and this is just one of many peculiarities.
THE HOLY CITY
Another peculiarity is that the city is officially called The Holy City of Messolonghi and is the only one in Greece that has this right. The reason lies in the city's momentous history, since it was here that perhaps the most dramatic moments of the Greek Revolution took place, namely the two sieges and the Exodus of Messolonghi.
Messolonghi Exodus refers to the exodus of the besieged soldiers and civilians of Messolonghi, when the strongest and most powerful soldiers and civilians of the city were under siege. The event occurred on the night between April 10 and 11, 1826, during the 1821 Revolution.
“’Tis something in the dearth of fame,
Though link’d among a fetter’d race,
To feel at least a patriot’s shame,
Even as I sing, suffuse my face;
For what is left the poet here?
For Greeks a blush—for Greece a tear.”
The reception of Lord Byron in Messolonghi is an oil painting created in 1861 by Theodoros Vryzakis (himself a victim of the Struggle; the Turks had hanged his father). It is on display at the National Gallery.
Lord Byron died alongside the Greek revolutionaries in Messolonghi at the age of 36.
HIDE IN WATER
Another peculiarity of the place is the beautiful, ethereal natural landscape. The vast lagoon, with the traditional fishing huts of Messolonghi, the pelades, is not only a part of history and a monument to the traditional activities of Messolonghians, but also a characteristic element of the landscape. Its 22,000 acres of water hide the richest fish-bottom in the country and has been designated an Environmental Park and is protected by the RAMSAR Treaty.
WHITE GOLD ON OUR PLATES
In our home we mainly use as little salt as possible, but when we do, we prefer the one from Messolonghi. Natural unrefined salt, another gift with which this place is blessed.
Messolonghi is primarily flat and therefore ideal for walks and cycling. The most classic route is to Tourlis and back, with the route even being gently uphill, making the return to Missolonghi even more enjoyable. Unfortunately, there is a lot of litter along the route, which takes away some of the beauty. It's a shame, but it's a Greek phenomenon as well, unfortunately.
The Messolonghi by Locals festival has now established itself as an institution and returns for the sixth year, creatively combining the elements of the cultural identity of Messolonghi with the modern reality, as it is experienced by the locals and as the team aspires to sculpt it for every visitor, 365 days a year.
Perhaps one of the peculiarities that need not be mentioned is that here, depending on the season, you can observe even 290 different species of birds, such as pelicans, storks, flamingos, cormorants, but also hawks, vultures and even king eagles! Around 60 of these are protected species.
I’ve only been there once with my camera and that was just for some hours during one night stay.
Definitely will visit again in the near future. This can become a photographer’s paradise.
