Greece Mesolongi

Mesolongi is a town of 18.000 people in central Greece, between Acheloos and the Euenos rivers and contains a port on the Gulf of Patras. The town is the capital of Aetoliacarnania. The town owns it name from the italian words "mezzo" and "langhi" which means "in the middle of lakes". Indeed the town is located in the middle of a salt lagoon. The area is know for its active participation in the war of Independance in 1821. Mesolongi revolted against the Turks but lost 30.000 men.

Due to the heroic stance of the population and the subsequent massacre of its inhabitants by the Turkish-Egyptian forces, that followed, the town of Messolonghi received the honorary title of Hiera Polis (the Sacred City), unique among other Greek cities. Today, Mesolongi is a quite little town and very typical of mainland towns. Most of the town is pedestrian which allows visitors to walk peacefully in the center.