• Walk the amazing routes in the gorges of the rivers Evinos and Acheloos, where you will have the opportunity to go for fishing, rafting and kayak
• Visit the nine natural and artificial lakes and the Mesolongi–Aitolikos lagoon, which is protected by the RAMSAR Convention
• Take a trip to the mountainous Nafpaktia, where the main destinations are Ano and Kato Hora, and the historical Monastery of Ampelakiotissa
• Do not miss going to Mesolongi, where the “Heroic Sorty” took place, and where can pay a visit to the Garden of the Heroes and the residences of Trikoupis and Palamas.
• Visit the forest of Fraxos near Lessini village, which is characterised as a Natural Monument, and the Manina oak forest with the caves of the Cyclops
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Perfecture of ETOLIA & AKARNANIA
Greece
Region of Western Greece Capital town: Holy City Of Messologhi Area: Population:
Presentation
Aitoloakarnania is the greatest in surface Greek Prefecture. The main characteristic is the succession between the mountainous terrain and the water element. Rivers, lakes and wetlands are inhabited by rare life forms and create amazing
Access to the Prefecture is being offered nowadays by the Rion-Antirrion Bridge, envisaged initially by the late 19th century Greek Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis in order to unite the mainland and Peloponnese. The capital of the Prefecture is the Sacred City of Mesolongi, even though Agrinion is a more significant urban settlement.
The most important touristic node in Aitoloakarnania is the city of Nafpaktos and the cluster of 45 mountain villages. The three rivers of Acheloos, Evinos and Mornos offer visitors the opportunity for alternative tourism activities. By the Ionian coast, there are exquisite beaches.
History
Near the rivers and the lakes of the area, findings that point to human organised life -since the Stone Age- have been unearthed. Between the tribes of Akarnanians and Aitolians a strong rivalry existed. After the Lamian War, the Aitolian Union was formed.
In 146 BC, the Romans subjugated the area. Since the 4th century AD, Aitoloakarnania became a Byzantine province. By 1460 AD, the area had come under Ottoman rule. In the month of April, 1825, commenced the siege of Mesolongi. The heroic exit was realised on April 10th, 1826.
• Hospitals: General Hospital of Mesolongi 26310 57100 – General Hospital of Agrinion 26410 57333-5
• Museums: Archaeological Museum of Agrinion: 2641027377 - Vonitsa: 2643071209 – Mesolongi Museum of History & Art: 2631022134, 2631023472
• Information Centre of the Mesolongi-Aitoliko Lagoon Wetlands: 2632022110
How to get there
• Aitoloakarnania can be reached either through the Bridge, or by ferry boat. The transit cost through the Bridge costs 10,50€ for automobiles and 1,70€ for motorcycles
Region of Western Greece
