Suggested tours


SUGGESTED TOURS - VISITS – TOURS
 
THE GARDEN OF HEROES
 
The Garden of Heroes is the only regional sculpture gallery of Greece, the only historical park. Information on the morphology of the area are provided and details of the tomb containing the bones of the fallen persons are given. Also, you visit the monument of Marcus Botsaris, the statue of Lord Byron (Byron) and sixty-seven monuments of the chieftains, philhellene fighters and heroes. Also are recounted the sieges and the enterprise of the Exodus. Duration tour: One hour. Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic, religious and natural interest.
 
MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART (GALLERY)
 
The visitor is informed about the cross and the chalice suspected that communed and blessed the besieged, the original printed version of the "Hymn to Freedom" printed here in Messolonghi in the middle of the second siege, the beautiful paintings depicting militants portraits, scenes from the warfare and authentic weapons and personal objects of the heroes, and of Lord Byron (Byron). Also there are available for sale, history books, literary, religious and ecotourism content. Duration tour: One hour. Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic, religious and literary interests.
 
COMBINED TOUR
 
The visitor is guided through the Garden of Heroes, Museum of History & Art (Gallery) and follow the "path" on the road leading to Tourlida “sea” in the lagoon. Duration of tour: Two and a half hours
 
DIEXODOS CENTER SPEECH AND ART
 
Housed in one of the three buildings that "survived" the total destruction of the city, dating from the eighteenth century. It is the home of Athanasios Razikotsikas, military commander of Mesolongians. The permanent museum collection of "DIOEXODOS" is perfectly exposed, according to the requirements of modern Museological Science and occasionally are performed either unique original ones or transferred in its space, valuable and interesting exhibitions. Additionally, it has a shop where visitors of our city can be purchased either one of the editions of "thorough" or a traditional product of the region. Duration tour: One hour
approx. Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic, religious and literary interests.
 
The above premises, during the period from late October to late March may be included in half-day program.
 
MUSEUM HOUSE OF CHARILAUS TRIKOUPIS
 
   The life and work of TrikoupiS is chronicled, reformer and modernizer of modern Greece, as well as founder of parliamentarism. Personal belongings are exposed, as well as his descendants objects. Duration tour: Fifty minutes. Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic, religious and literary interests.
 
The above premises, during the period from late October to late March may be included in half-day program.
 
MUSEUM HOUSE OF PALAMA
 
It is housed in the oldest building in the city, the ancestral home of Kostis Palamas. The activities of the family Palamas are chronicled, who worked at Missolonghi University of Western Greece, the "Palamaia Academy", long before the beginning of the Greek Revolution. In addition, detailed reference is being held to the life and work of the great poet, the institutions of Education and Justice in the pre-revolutionary years and the generally extremely high intellectual level of the city, which "gave birth" five prime ministers and five Poets. Duration tour: Fifty minutes. Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic and literary interests.
 
 
 
COMBINED TOUR ("WHOLE DAY)
 
The group of visitors is guided around in all these areas which may be included in full-day program Duration tour. One day, (during the months it gets dark lately).
 
ROMAIKES THERMES OF AT THOMAS
 
The archaeological site is located approximately four km. from the city center. There are public Roman baths preserved to a height of seven meters. With the help of the guide you will understand exactly where the cold, warm and hot water tanks were located, where was also placed the air escapes, through which hot air reached the above areas, as well as other interesting information for that season. Duration tour: Forty-five minutes. Suitable for students and groups of visitors to archaeological, historical and architectural interest.
 
 
 
 
 
ANCIENT PLEURONA
 
At the foot of Arakynthos five km. northwest of Messolonghi is located the archaeological site of ancient Plevrona which is considered one of the oldest places of Aetolian land. It is also referred by Homerus in "Ships List" of the Iliad, associated with the cities that helped the Mycenaeans. The ruins date from the late 3rd century. BC The strong walls stretching 2360 meters. Within the 36 towers and 8 gates, the guide refers to the rich mythological background of the area, while the visitor is guided through in the marketplace in the gymnasium and the bath, the theater in its privileged location, the huge, carved in rock, water tank and other very interesting points. It is important to visit the site to admire the wonderful view over the Panachaikon, Erymanthos and Araxos mountains, Zakynthos and Kefalonia islands and certainly the largest, perhaps, part of the lagoon, as if you are on plane and take aerial picture. Duration of tour: Two hours. Suitable for students and groups of visitors to archaeological, historical, architectural, walking and natural interest.
 
ANCIENT CALYDON
 

Ten kilometers east of Missolonghi, again at the foot of Arakynthos is located the archaeological site of ancient Calydon one more ancient Aetolian place, which helped the Mycenaeans in the Trojan War. In an impressing wall built in 500 BC and it is visible from the highway, there are the foundation stones of the great temple of Artemis Lafrias and the smaller one, dedicated to Apollo Lafrio. The tour guide informs visitors about how and when they were rebuilt, where was the gold and ivory statue of the goddess kept and how did people worshipped her. He explains the use of the "Heroes of Calydon," ie the large rectangular building which has underground tomb of Macedonian type. Finally, he informs visitors about the "so-called theater" and almost square orchestra. Duration tour: One hour and fifteen minutes. Suitable for students and groups of visitors to archaeological, historical, architectural, walking and natural interest.
 
OINIADES
 
It is an extensive archaeological site. The tour guide informs visitors about the exceptional architecture of the city walls with beautiful portals, project of the 6th century BC, about the theater which was first constructed the 4th century BC and certainly the best preserved dry dock of the ancient world, where with its the help, the visitors can observe the mooring facilities, the bases of large metal rings of vessels, friezes for their maneuvers and their repair and other very interesting information . Journeys and tour: Two and a half hours. Suitable for students and groups of visitors to archaeological, historical, architectural, walking and natural interest.
 
These archaeological sites (Roman baths, Ancient Pleurona, Ancient Calydon, Oiniades) may be included in the program of the whole winter day or a half-summer day, depending on age, strengths and interests of the members of each group of visitors.
 
AITOLIKO
 
Transition to the city - island mentioned as early as the 13 ° century. In 1847 it was united to the mainland by two stone, arches, bridges. You can visit the Cathedral, the "Virgin Mary", where the tour guide will tell you about the Holy Epitaph, the wooden temple, the miraculous icon of the Virgin. Also it worths visiting the Church the Great Archangels or "Commander", to which was held the "miracle" 8th of November 1823. Next to the church is the tomb of Lady-Vasiliki. Finally do not forget to admire the great works of Vaso Katraki, the most important engraver of the second half of the 20th century to the homonymous museum, purely engraving, the unique in Europe. Duration of tour: Three hours approximately (depending on season). Suitable for students and groups of visitors with historical, artistic, religious and natural interest.
 
 
VARASOVA ROCK
 
Limestone massif of 917 m. In a distance of 2 km approximately from Missolonghi, alongside the highway Antirio - Ioannina. Famous destination for climbers because of the quality of the rock and the variety of routes (variety of degrees of difficulty), the crystal sea in just a few meters from the tracks. The Varasova mountain is also known for its caves, many of which were used as hermitages and churches, from which the nickname of "Mount Athos of Central Greece " was adopted. Tour Duration: Depends on the mountain or hiking status of the visitor team.
 
 
 
 RELIGIOUS TOURISM
 
It may not be widespread, but it is reality the fact that Messolonghi, constitutes an ideal "base" for the individual or organized visitor to satisfy his religious concerns and browse Christian monuments of special architectural and painterly beauty, aided always by the guide to be informed about the aforementioned characteristics. Indicative only, as their number is very large, we report the following monuments.
 
SAINT NICHOLAS THE “SPILAIOTIS” OR “KREMASTOS”
 
After a one and a half hour course and once you start from Kefalovriso Aitolikou, you reach a ravine height of several tens of meters. At about fifty meters from the depth, you find yourself at the mouth of the cave, which was the church of the monastery complex there. The illustration of the two caves, small and large, is, according to the experts, a very important milestone in the development of Byzantine hagiography of western Greece, while it should be noted that the monastery possessed bibliographic Laboratory (scriptorium), an indication of its importance. Duration of driving, travel and tour: Four hours. Suitable for groups with religious and naturalistic hiking interesting.
 
 
MONASTERY OF ST. SYMEON
 
Pilgrimage and tour of previously agreed meeting point of the "exoditon" with troops of Karaiskakis, the pre-revolutionary monastery "Ai Symios", built in the first decades of the 18th century in one of the most beautiful locations in the area. Duration of driving and tour: One and a half hour.
 
 
 
 
 
SAINT GEORGE "CHOUNISTAS"
 
Located fifteen kilometers from the city center, well preserved Catholic monastery of the same name, built in the architectural style of single-room domed churches, on the model of Mount Athos churches with niches.
 
 
 
 
 
 
SAINT GEORGE OF GREECE
 

A great "post-Byzantine" monument located forty minutes drive from Missolonghi. That is also one-room, but cruciform with a dome. It was built upon an earlier temple of 1696 that shattered in 1918, but escaped the shrine with its painted decoration.

MARY OF FOINIKIA
 
Located about seven kilometers from Mesologi and into the unique landscape of the largest salt lake in our country, is the dated from 1804 single-nave church with a pitched wooden roof. According to the text of the 13th century, which was drafted by the Metropolitan of Nafpactos, John Apokaukos, worked in the same place monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Myrodotousa. Moreover, at this point rested and hunted Lord Byron.
 
 
 
SAINT ELEOUSA
 
Within seventeen kilometers from Messologi and in the uniquely impressive landscape that shapes the officially proclaimed by the Ministry of Culture, as "Monument of Nature", canyon of Kleisoura, is located the monastery of Agia Eleousa. It is dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi since indeed it exists and it is miraculous, in which a large number of passengers were coming. First mentioned in "signet" of 1229-1230.
 
 
 
 
 
PANAXIOTISSA OF GAUROLIMNI
 
Starting from Missolonghi, heading to Antirrio and after you have driven no more than twenty-five minutes, you will reach the village Gaurolimni. If not accompanied by a guide, something of course that we highly recommend you, look for the signs of the Ministry of Culture directing in this monument. It was Catholic Byzantine monastery and based on morphological features of the church dates to the late 10th century. During research in the space around the temple, were identified thirteen sculptures-parts which chronologically date back to early Christian era and indicate the existence of an early Christian basilica.
 
 
 
The AITOLEAN “EPITAFIOS”
 
   Located about ten kilometers from Messologi and Church Assumption of Mary, is the famous relic not only of Etoliko, but of the entire Western Central. The performance of the Epitaph Lamentation is embroidered inside a rectangular box that is enclosed on the south wall of the church. In the technical of its structure, has benn found that there have been used all the combinations of yarns and colors and despite any aesthetic deviations, the project remains true to the traditions of the early embroidery art and consists an admirable work.
Apart from the above we presented you briefly, Messolonghi has something more. Its Lagoon. It is the second largest, but first in terms of wetland biodiversity on entire European Mediterranean. Defined by two major rivers, the Acheloos and Evinos rivers. Number of actions can take place as bird watching, at the mountain (the Arakynthos), at the lakeside or in the forest. You can also do hiking, bicycling, hiking fishing, boat rides and more. In consultation with the tour guide and the local authorities such as the Environmental Education Center or Management Body of the Lagoon, there is no way not to meet any subject or interest.