The main attraction of the area is of course the lagoon. The lagoon is divided into three parts, the lagoons of Klisova, Messolonghi and Aitoliko. All this sea area together with the uncultivated beaches surrounding it constitutes an important wetland. Hidden in the waters of the lagoon are Klisova, Vasiladi, Agios Sostis, Schinias, Prokopanistos, Tholi, Paleopotamos, Dolmas and Poros, uninhabited islands that played an important role in the liberation struggle of the Greeks. In all these islets there are fish farms producing the famous Mesolonghi fish. With a petrol boat, you can visit all the fish farms in one day. The area of the Lagoon reaches 131 square kilometers. Its production reaches 800,000 thousand kilograms of fish, 100,000 kilograms of eels and 1,500 kilograms of roe. The lagoon is also ideal for walks, especially at sunset, when the colors of the water take you to exotic places. Very characteristic are the traditional fishermen’s houses built in the water, the so-called ‘pelades’.
The port of Messolonghi is very beautiful. The depth of the lagoon is small. Large ships do not sail. The port of Messolonghi, since the ferry of Ryou-Antirio began to operate, has not been busy. Only the Messolonghi and Aitoliotika boats move, and now and then a foreign ship with a cargo of flour or timber docks here and there. But what it lacks in movement it gains in charm with its changing hues and the evening reflection of the west. For it is no exaggeration that the sunset on the lagoon is one of the most beautiful in the world. Today in the port there are the Customs, the offices of the Port Fund of Aitoloakarnania, the warehouses of the Agricultural Bank and the Economic Chamber. There is also a small open theater (a project of the Port Fund). Moreover, there are many entertainment centers here that attract Messolonghians and foreigners all year round but especially in summer (the Refreshment Centre, the Restaurant-Pisina-Bar Plaza, the hotel and restaurant Theoxenia).
In Tourlis you will swim towards the Patraikos Gulf. It is 5 km from the town and the route is magnificent, because the paved road goes through the lagoon. It was named after a species of seabirds that existed there called “turtles’ ‘. There you will also see the Black Salt Lake. They called it “black” because its salt is lower in quality than that of the White Salt, the other saltworks on the road to Aetoliko. The settlement of Tourlida with its wooden houses (pelades), where many Messolonghians spend their holidays, is also beautiful. Today it is the beach of Messolonghi. Until 1885 Tourlida was an island. Ships used to moor there before it became the port of the city, as from there onwards the waters became very shallow. The road connecting it to the city was created by the excavations made for the construction of the port. In Tourlis there are two refreshment-restaurants and a cafe.
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