After we sailed under the bridge of Patras, we entered the Gulf of Patras. The water here is quite open and offers pleasant sailing conditions.
Gulf of Patras
The weather was still beautiful, and we sailed along the coast. There are several lovely bays and, because you are on the western side of the water, you can also enjoy beautiful sunsets.
The typical blue-and-white houses and small churches are still very much present. We also passed a modern holiday park with colourful little houses, which was rather deserted at this time of year.
Messolonghi
We decided to go to Messolonghi. It’s an interesting area with lakes and lagoons.
The name “Messolonghi” most likely comes from the Venetian-Italian mezzo laghi or messo laghi: “in the middle of lakes/lagoons”, referring to the city’s location between large bodies of water. Several rivers flow through this area, and over the years sediment deposits have formed, creating a complex system of lagoons.
Houses on stilts
When we entered the lagoon, we saw houses on stilts in the water, known in Greek as “pelades”. These are classic wooden stilt structures.
We reported to the harbour master; in reality it was more of a quay with just a few boats moored alongside. We especially liked the harbour office.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Messolonghi developed as a fishing and trading centre, with shipyards located around the lagoon area.
Salt Museum
We found online that salt was once harvested on the southern side of the lagoons. Because the landscape is very flat (a lagoon area), cycling along the salt pans and the edge of the lagoon is very comfortable.
You could still see white salt mounds and a desalination plant.
There was also a Salt Museum. We didn’t go inside, but we found the little boat and the landscape with salt pans very beautiful.
Tourlida
Tourlida is a small island (or elongated peninsula) in the lagoon of Messolonghi, about 5 km south of Messolonghi town. It is the only inhabited island in the Messolonghi lagoon, with only 15 residents.
Here you can clearly see the wooden houses on stilts: originally built by fishermen to store their equipment and to stay in during the winter.
The name “Tourlida” comes from the curlew (in Greek τουρλίδα), a bird species found in the lagoon.
We found it enjoyable and interesting to see this part of Greece. Usually, you associate Greece with beautiful hills, mountains and islands, but this area with its rivers, lagoons and sediment deposits forms a completely different type of landscape.
