Aitoloakarnania Prefecture

General info:

The Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania (Etoloakarnania) covers the westernmost part of the Central Greece. It has a circa of 5,500 square km approximately and a population of some 225,000 permanent residents.
Gifted by nature with fertile subsoil, high mountains, impressive gorges, lakes and lagoons, rivers and splendid beaches, the prefecture is a veritable paradise of rare flora and fauna species and  is also ideal for  winter of summer outdoor activities.

Archaeological sites, historical cities and monuments, castles and byzantine churches adorn its enchanting terrain, revealing the deep-rooted history of the prefecture, while Its villages in which tradition is still alive and its highly developed resorts attract plenty of visitors throughout the year.

Historical profile:
The Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania has been inhabited since antiquity and first settlers are considered to the Leleges, followed by the Aitolians and the Akarnanians. The region took part in the Lamian War against the Macedonians in 323 BC. In the centuries followed the region became part of the Byzantine Empire and was dominated by the Frankish.  Aetolia and Akarnania that since then were two separate regions, were united and they named Aetolokarnania when the Ottomans subjugated them  in 1450.

Villages:
The capital of the prefecture is the historic city of Messolongi (Mesolongi). Built at the mouths of the rivers Acheloos  (Aheloos) and Evinos (Euenos). It was entitled as the “holly city” of the Greeks for the heroic exodus of its locals, who after a year of strong resistance to the severe siege by 40,000 Ottomans and after the starvation they had faced; they decided to leave the city on the night of the 10th of April in 1826. 
This daring adventure and their slaughter followed by the Ottomans passed in history as the “Exodus of the free-besieged” and inspired the National Poet of Greece Dionysios Solomos to write the poem “The Free-Besieged”. The philhellene Lord Baryon was also killed in Messologi in 1824.

Today, the city is a modern one providing every amenity one could expect from, yet it has kept its quaintness especially in its old quarter in which one may sees interesting buildings, monasteries and castles, while its charming lanes are lined with small cosy coffee-bars and shops.

The Garden of Heroes in which the tombs and the statues of both Greek fighters of 1821 and of philhellenes are found; the Old Town Hall which houses the interesting Museum of   History and Art; the house of Kostis Palamas, the poet who composed the Olympic Anthem and  the monument that has been erected at the house where Lord Byron died   are only few of the historical sites of the capital.
Other worth-seeing places are the archaeological site of Plevrona, in which remnants of the ancient city can be seen and the Sanctuary of the Laphria Artemis and the one of Apollo at the site of the Evinochorio.

Besides its historical heritage, Messolongi   is also known for its ecological importance since its lagoon - which  in fact consists of three smaller ones, the  Klisova, Etoliko and Messologi - is famed for being a shelter for   rare migrating birds  and endangered species and also for its stunning sunsets, attracting nature-lovers, bird-watchers and artists as well.

Aitoliko (Etoliko) located some 10 km northwest to the capital and with some 4,500 residents,  is a charming town built in a small islet between the Etoliko and Messolongi lagoons and it is connected with them by two narrow bridges.  The town, which was an important marine centre until the 12th century, today is an attractive town with beautiful churches such the one of Dormition and the Church of Taxiarches.
Yet the main attraction of the town its magnificent lagoon and also the Klisoura gorge, a site  of great natural beauty.

Agrinio is  situated 35 km approximately north to the capital. Built in a fertile plain is  a major economic and agricultural centre especially in tobacco production.
The industrial development of the last decades has deprived much of the town’s initial identity, yet Agrinio still offers several sight-seeing at the surrounding area, such as the ruins of the 12th century Byzantine Castle at the Aggelokastro site;  the remnants of an ancient settlement at the Ano Vloho village; the Trichonida (Trihonida) Lake, the biggest in Greece and also an important  biotope and  shelter of rare flora and fauna species and the dam of Acheloos.

• Astakos  is a charming seaside town situated some 50 km northwest  to the capital.
• Built amphitheatrically in the arms of the homonymous bay the town is characterized
• by forested areas, idyllic coves and dentelated beaches. The town offers several
• accommodation facilities while worth-seeing of this town, are the remnants of the
• Ancient city at the Graves site and  the Cave of  the Cyclop.

Nafpaktos is a picturesque town, located some 40 km east to Messolongi.
The town which is built amphitheatrically on the slopes of a green hill, is characterized by  a small yet quaint port,   narrow alleys, planes trees running waters and wonderful beaches. The  well-preserved Venetian Castle that was built  upon the ruins of the ancient acropolis and  crowns the top of  the hill; the Botsaris Tower that today hosts cultural events; and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis  Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) are only few of the worth-seeing of Nafpaktos. The town offers several accommodation facilities and also a varied and lively nightlife.

If you appreciate the mountainous landscape you could visit the   villages of  Orini Nafpaktia  (Mountainous Nafpaktia), such as  Limnitsa, Ano Chora, Kato Chora, Platanos. They are small and quite picturesque ones, with delightful traditional houses,  surrounded by a serene and idyllic landscape of plane trees, running waters and amazing trekking paths.

Beaches:
Aitoloakarnania offers many stunning beaches, pebble or sandy , known for their clear waters and its scenic environment.

In Nafpaktos the beaches of Psani and Gribovo are sandy  and organized ones  with clear waters, offering also water sport facilities.  Other beautiful beaches are the one  Amphilochia, is a long-stretched pebble and organized one; the beaches of Agios Georgios and Asprogiali near Astakos town, the Panagia beach near Vonitsa Town with  pebbles , sand and crystalline waters and the Tourlida beach near Messolongi town.

Access:
There are scheduled trips via intercity bus of the Greek Bus Operators  (KTEL)  from  Athens  to Messolongi, Amphilochia,Vonitsa, Nafpaktos, Mitikas, Astakos and Etoliko.
From Thessaloniki there are bus itineraries for Etoliko, Messolongi, Nafpaktos and Antirio.

Alternatively there are regular flights that link the International Athens Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” with the ones of Agrinio, Preveza and Aktio.