Messolonghi

Messolonghi (or Missolonghi) is a town in Western Greece which played a big role in the Greek War of Independence and is where the British poet Lord Byron died.

MessolonghiMessolonghi

Where is Messolonghi?

Messolonghi is on the northern shores of the Gulf of Patras and about a 45-minute drive from the city of Patras. It’s a 3-hour drive west from Athens, along the shores of the Gulf of Patras, and a 2-hour drive from Delphi. It’s also about two hours south of the airport at Preveza.

Map of Greece showing MessolonghiMap (c) Google Maps

What to Do and See in Missolonghi

There isn’t a great deal to see and do in Messolonghi, as it’s not really a tourist town, though if you’re passing through then you could easily spend a night and a day here, to see the handful of sights. It also has a lovely setting, by the water and surrounded by lagoons.

Sculpture in Diexodos in MessolonghiSculpture in Diexodos in Messolonghi

Diexodos

This is Messolonghi’s Cultural and Arts Centre, and is much more comprehensive and modern than the history and art museum. It has traditional costumes, archaeological finds, icons and religious relics, a good collection of paintings and sculptures, and an unusual but interesting collection of salt shakers.

Salt Shakers in Diexodos in Messolonghi

Garden of Heroes

Next to the cemetery is where you’ll find the Garden of Heroes, dedicated to the men and women who fought in the Greek War of Independence. This is where you will find a statue of Lord Byron, beneath which his heart is buried.

Modern Art Gallery

The Christos and Sophia Mosxandreou Gallery of Modern Art is in an 1835 Neo-classical building opposite the church of Agios Spuridonas. Its traditional exterior is in stark contrast to some of the ultra-modern art works inside.

Museum of the History and the Art of the Sacred City of Messolonghi

This grandly-titled museum is in a mansion dating from 1931 and contains many artifacts from the Greek War of Independence along with paintings, coins, guns, and medals. There’s also a collection of items that belonged to Lord Byron, as well as some of his manuscripts.

Our Pick of the Guides to Greece

Rough-Guide-Greece-2022.png

The Greek War of Independence

In May, 1821, Messolonghi became the first place in Western Greece to join in with support for the Greek War of Independence. There were many Turkish families living in the town and they quickly made their escape to the safety of the town of Vrachori, where there was a strong Turkish military presence. Vrachori is now known as Agrinio and is about a 40-minute drive due north of Messolonghi.

In October, 1822, about 7-8,000 Turkish forces laid siege to Messolonghi, in an attempt to retake control. There were only about 500 Greek soldiers inside the town, but they held out until the Turkish troops gave up on 31 December, 1822. Another attack was launched in September, 1823, but this was abandoned within two months. 

A third siege began in April, 1825, and it showed the strategic importance of Messolonghi as this time it involved 30,000 Turkish soldiers, later joined by another 10,000 troops from Egypt. The 10,500 inhabitants held out for 12 months, but this time the Turkish and Egyptian troops did not abandon the siege.  Instead, they slaughtered the population as the people tried to escape. Messolonghi was later given the name of Hiera Polis (Sacred City) by Greeks recognizing their heroism and sacrifice in the Greek cause. Greece won its independence in 1829.

MessolonghiMessolonghi

Lord Byron and Messolonghi

The British poet Lord Byron had been a regular visitor to Greece and loved the country so much that he signed up to support their fight for independence. He was in Messolonghi in 1824, planning to join in an attack on the Turkish-held fortress of Lepanto. Before that could happen, he fell ill and contracted a fever, which led to his death on 19 April, 1824. His heart is buried in the town in a cenotaph, and there is also a statue of him there. All over Greece you will find streets named in his honour.

MessolonghiMessolonghi

More Western Greece Pages

  • The Zagorian Villages and Vikos Gorge in the Pindus Mountains of northern Greece are popular for hiking, and for their scenic beauty and historical traditions.

    Zagori and the Vikos Gorge

    The Zagorian Villages and Vikos Gorge in the Pindus Mountains of northern Greece are popular for hiking, and for their scenic beauty and historical traditions.

  • The resort of Parga, in Epirus in Western Greece, is one of the most popular along the Ioanian coast, with several beaches and waterfront seafood tavernas.

    Parga

    The resort of Parga, in Epirus in Western Greece, is one of the most popular along the Ioanian coast, with several beaches and waterfront seafood tavernas.

  • The town of Metsovo stands at Greece's highest mountain pass, between Ioannina and the plains of Thessaly, and has historic mansions and a distinctive cuisine.

    Metsovo

    The town of Metsovo stands at Greece's highest mountain pass, between Ioannina and the plains of Thessaly, and has historic mansions and a distinctive cuisine.

  • Ioannina is the capital of Epirus in Western Greece, located by Lake Pamvotis and noted for museums and galleries, a castle, and a tradition for silversmiths.

    Ioannina

    Ioannina is the capital of Epirus in Western Greece, located by Lake Pamvotis and noted for museums and galleries, a castle, and a tradition for silversmiths.

  • This walk in Ali Pasha's Ioannina also takes in the city's main museums, the citadel, and a ferry ride to the island of Nissi to visit the Ali Pasha Museum.

    Ioannina Walk

    This walk in Ali Pasha's Ioannina also takes in the city's main museums, the citadel, and a ferry ride to the island of Nissi to visit the Ali Pasha Museum.

  • Western Greece includes holiday resorts like Parga, the Pindus Mountains and Zagorian villages, hiking in the Vikos Gorge, historical Ioannina, and Dodona.

    Western Greece: Travel Information and Advice about Western Greece

    Western Greece includes holiday resorts like Parga, the Pindus Mountains and Zagorian villages, hiking in the Vikos Gorge, historical Ioannina, and Dodona.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Birdwatching on Lesbos

    golden-eagle-pixabay.jpg
    For keen birdwatchers, birdwatching on Lesbos offers a chance to see over 300 species in diverse habitats on a key migratory route between Europe and Africa.

    Read More

  2. Athens City Festival this Week Features Music Events, Treasure Hunts, Museum Visits

    The Greek capital continues to celebrate spring with the 3rd This is Athens – City Festival, presenting a diverse program of events and activities, all with free admission. Throughout the weekend, the…

    Read More

  3. Survey: Athens a Bargain Destination for UK Travelers this Year

    British travelers seeking value for money in Europe this year will find it in Athens, according to the annual Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer. The Greek capital is once again among the T…

    Read More

  4. Report: 4 Greek Islands Among Most Cheapest Holiday Destinations for Brits

    Kalymnos, Thassos, Lefkada and Skopelos have been identified as some of the most affordable destinations for British travelers booking package holidays this summer, according to a recent analysis by W…

    Read More

  5. Zakynthos’ Famous Shipwreck Beach Closed Again for the Summer

    Greek authorities have once again decided to keep one of the country’s most-visited beaches, Navagio on the island of Zakynthos, closed to the public due to safety risk.

    Read More

  6. Athens City Festival Continues with Free Events for All

    The 3rd This is Athens – City Festival is currently underway, showcasing a diverse array of entertainment events and creative activities suitable for families and adults. An initiative of the Athens D…

    Read More

  7. Jet2: Additional Capacity to Skiathos and Lesvos for Summer 2025

    UK tour operator Jet2holidays and leisure airline Jet2.com have expanded their summer 2025 program by adding 35,000 seats to various destinations, including two Greek islands.

    Read More

  8. Study: Athens Among Best Cities for Family Science Trips

    Athens is ranked as one of the top European cities for family science trips, according to a report by Ubuy, a global e-commerce platform. Ubuy’s new report reveals Europe’s top 20 cities where familie…

    Read More

  9. May 1: Greece Labor Day Strikes to Halt Public Transport, Ferries

    Transportation and travel in Greece will be disrupted on Wednesday, May 1, as public transport and ferry employees have announced their participation in strike mobilizations to mark May Day. According…

    Read More

  10. Technopolis: New 3-day Beer Festival Coming to Athens in May

    A new beer festival is coming to Athens and for three days will quench the thirst of beer lovers with well-known and rare labels from around the world as well as from Greek microbreweries. Lager? Pils…

    Read More