Etoliko

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Etoliko

Etoliko is a town, also called Little Venice of Greece, with a population of 5.349 inhabitants, ten kilometers northwest of Messolonghi. The city of Etoliko is developed on a small island rooted in the water in the middle of the Etoliko lagoon that is protected by the mountain ranges of Varasova and Zygos.

It is connected to the east and west by the land with two stone arched bridges of the 19th century, each with an initial length of about 300 meters. The bridges are built, the west one with 26 arches, while the east with 32 and have a stone parapet. They have historical value and have therefore been declared protected, even though they are in poor condition. The bridges are an extension of the original stone bridges built in 1848 by the mayor of Etoliko, Konstantakis Kourkoumelis.

The Municipality of Etoliko was a historical Municipality, which no longer exists, as it was abolished in 2010, and Etoliko and the surrounding areas were included in the new beautiful Municipality of the City of Messolonghi.

There are several versions of the name of Etoliko. The first one wants to be called "Anatolikon" during the revolution of 1821. Historical reports and public documents of the time mention it by this name on the grounds that it was the easternmost island of the Echinades or because it was east of Acheloos.

As "Adlikon" he refers to many folk songs. However, its normal origin is from the word "pump" and this is because due to its location so close to the surface of the water, wherever they dug, even in the shallowest places, they drew water.
The name that prevailed is "Εtolikon". As it turned out, its original name was 100 years before the start of the '21 revolution.

One of the most famous fishing sites, the Εtoliko lagoon, is a huge habitat and is the largest part of the valuable ecosystem defined by the estuary of Evinos to the estuary of Acheloos. The lagoon is a source of wealth and prosperity for both cities: Εtoliko and Messolonghi, and especially for the city of Εtoliko that was born (several hundred years before that of Messolonghi) literally in the heart of the lagoon and is an integral part of this great ecosystem, largest in Europe.

All kinds of fish abounded in the Εtoliko lagoon, especially the famous sea bream and the mullet, from the female of which, the "bafa", comes out the roe, known as "roe of Messolonghi". Most residents a few years ago were fishing. Fishermen who controlled seven fish farms (the 3/4) of the lagoon which they rented for a long time from the State after an auction, while another large percentage practiced the profession of free fisherman.

The fishing tradition of Etoliko is great, as well as the naval one. Until the Second World War, Etoliko maintained a fleet of about 35 merchant naval vessels, now smaller.
These ships, which were part of the merchant fleet of Etoliko, moored with those of Messolonghi in Agios Sostis of Messolonghi were burned by the pirate fleet of the Doultsinians. After World War II, the Etolian shipowners did not take advantage of the opportunities provided by the state, did not renew the fleet, and thus the presence of Etoliko in shipping ended ingloriously.

Today, the percentage of fishermen, due to the reckless drying and destruction (1970s) of about 50% of the Etoliko lagoon, has been reduced to a minimum, as are the fish stocks of the lagoon and the fish production. Also, many residents are farmers - landowners due to its fertile plain, and of course a percentage of traders and professionals.

Etoliko Lagoon is a nest and shelter for more than 250 different species of birds, including many rare and endangered species. For swimming, choose Rebakia or the Stamna area.