Aitoliko
Encyclopedia
Aitoliko is a town and a former municipality
in Aetolia-Acarnania
, West Greece, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messolonghi
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located north of the Acheloos
delta. The Greek National Road 5
/E55
passes through the municipal unit. It is located SW of Agrinion, about 20 km NW of Messolonghi
, W of Nafpaktos and the Rion-Antirrhion bridge
and SE of Astakos
. Until it became a part of Greece, it was known as Anatoliko (Ανατολικό), meaning east.
Aitoliko has primary schools, a High School (first three years of secondary education), a Lyceum (the second three-year period of secondary education), several churches, a small post office and a central square (plateia
).
The geography has rocky bushy hills to the east and farms along with some grasslands and swamps as far as the Achelous to the west.
Aitoliko also has an agricultural and commercial enterprise named Amalthia S.A., which is named after Amalthea
.
The Aitolikon Lagoon is a lagoon located east of Aitoliko surrounding the main municipality and is 14 km² in area.
Aitoliko was conveniently located with relation to the ancient towns of Pleuron
(the name of the son of the mythological father Aetolus
comes from along with Kalydon which carries the name of another son) and Oiniadai. The name of the town in the middle of the lagoon dates back to ancient times.
The old part of the town lies quite romantically on an island between two lagoons, of which the Aitolikon Lagoon which extends up to Stamna lies to the north, and the Mesolonghi Lagoon which was Lake Kynia in antiquity lies to the south and broadly southward to where it connects with Gulf of Patras
and into the Ionian Sea
where on October 7, 1571, the Battle of Lepanto
took place. The island is connected to the mainland on each side by two bridges. This community has some trees and residential houses and the direct road isn't passed. Tidal forces let strong currents develop regularly going back and forth under the arches of the bridges. The taverns of Aitolikon offer specialities such as smoked or salted Avgotaracho which is famous around the world for its unique taste and quality. Avgotaracho is the egg of the fish kefalos and is considered to be a superb speciality, some say superior to caviar. Eels slit open and lightly dried, then grilled on charcoal are another superb local speciality. Try them with raw onion and local dark red wine!!!!
Of economic importance is the saltworks located to the east next to the old GR-5 (Agrinion - Mesolonghi) about 100 m from the sea with an area of about 500 m² and a width of about 1 km between Aitolikon and Mesolonghi. It has been producing salt for years. Farmlands lie to the east with hills and rocky landscape. Fishing is common in the lagoon. The lagoons are the richest waters in Greece as far as fish are concerned. Here, boats are used. In different places, wooden huts on stilts can be seen. Land development and waste management endanger the entire delta area. A large tract of land is under nature protection and hunting is banned. In this area, 170 species of birds are founded.
It is also home to some parasites including isopods and sand smelts including Atherina boyeri
.
became and capital and became Nikopolis. The new capital became secured by the fortress. One of these fortresses were favourable for defense on the island and the lagoons in Aitoliko. Since the 12th century, the island fortress of Anatoliko developed to the city. In 1406, it was sold to Carlo I Tocco
of Kefallinia. The Venetian forces divided their incomes from the salt gardens and fish watern of Anatoliko which lasted until 1430.
During the Greek War of Independence
against the Ottoman Empire
, in the beginning of the 19th century, Aitolikon experienced three Turkish sieges before it became a part of Greece. There were 500 Greek defenders and 15,000 Turks in the first siege, The second siege was repelled, in the third siege, Aitolikon was re-taken by the Turks at the same time as Mesolonghi on April 11, 1826. Generals from Greece that participated included Georgios Liakatas.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
in Aetolia-Acarnania
Aetolia-Acarnania
Aetolia-Acarnania is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of West Greece. It is located in the western part of Greece; the regional unit is a combination of the geographic regions Aetolia and Acarnania. Its capital is Missolonghi for historical reasons, with its biggest...
, West Greece, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Messolonghi
Messolonghi
Missolonghi is a town of 12,225 people in western Greece. The town is the capital of Aetolia-Acarnania and is also its third largest town. It is the seat of the municipality of Iera Poli Mesolongiou . Missolonghi is linked to, although bypassed since the 1960s by, GR-5/E55...
, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located north of the Acheloos
Acheloos
Acheloos may refer to:* Acheloos River, in Greece* Achelous, a river deity in Greek mythology* Acheloos , a municipality in the Karditsa prefecture, Greece...
delta. The Greek National Road 5
Greek National Road 5
Greek National Road 5 is a highway in Western Greece. It runs from 2 km south of Rio at GR-8/GR-9 , or at the beginning of the Patras By-Pass in the south up to the city centre of Ioannina. It is now connected with a new bridge, the Rio-Antirio bridge and for 5 km is a joint with GR-48...
/E55
European route E55
European route E 55 is a E-route. It passes through the following cities:Helsingborg … Helsingør – Copenhagen – Køge – Vordingborg – Nykøbing Falster – Gedser … Rostock – Berlin – Lübbenau – Dresden – Teplice – Prague – Tábor – Linz – Salzburg – Villach – Tarvisio – Udine – Palmanova – Mestre...
passes through the municipal unit. It is located SW of Agrinion, about 20 km NW of Messolonghi
Messolonghi
Missolonghi is a town of 12,225 people in western Greece. The town is the capital of Aetolia-Acarnania and is also its third largest town. It is the seat of the municipality of Iera Poli Mesolongiou . Missolonghi is linked to, although bypassed since the 1960s by, GR-5/E55...
, W of Nafpaktos and the Rion-Antirrhion bridge
Rio-Antirio bridge
The Rion-Antirion bridge , officially the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge after the statesman who first envisaged it, is the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge...
and SE of Astakos
Astakos
Astakos is a town and a former municipality in Aetolia-Acarnania, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Xiromero, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea but small hills to the west of the town block...
. Until it became a part of Greece, it was known as Anatoliko (Ανατολικό), meaning east.
Subdivisions
The municipal unit Aitoliko is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):- Aitoliko (Aitoliko, Agios Nikolaos, Kefalovryso, Mesa Pigadi, Bouza, Nisaki, Poros, Chaliki)
- Agios Ilias
- StamnaStamna, GreeceStamna is a village in the municipality of Aitoliko in the southern part of the prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania It is located north of the bay and E and S of the Acheloos River...
(Stamna, Kefalovrysos, Stathmos Stamnas) - Fragkoulaiika (Fragkou, Koulaiika)
- Chrysovergi (Chrysovergi, Giatsaiika)
Historical population
| Year | Town population | Municipality population |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 5,265 | - |
| 1991 | 4,286 | 7,744 |
| 2001 | 4,312 | 7,216 |
Aitoliko has primary schools, a High School (first three years of secondary education), a Lyceum (the second three-year period of secondary education), several churches, a small post office and a central square (plateia
Plateia
Plateia or platia is the Greek word for town square. Most Greek and Cypriot cities have several town squares which are a point of reference in travelling and guiding...
).
The geography has rocky bushy hills to the east and farms along with some grasslands and swamps as far as the Achelous to the west.
Aitoliko also has an agricultural and commercial enterprise named Amalthia S.A., which is named after Amalthea
Amalthea (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Amalthea or Amaltheia is the most-frequently mentioned foster-mother of Zeus. Her name in Greek is clearly an epithet, signifying the presence of an earlier nurturing goddess, whom the Hellenes, whose myths we know, knew to be located in Crete, where Minoans may have called...
.
The Aitolikon Lagoon is a lagoon located east of Aitoliko surrounding the main municipality and is 14 km² in area.
Aitoliko was conveniently located with relation to the ancient towns of Pleuron
Pleuron, Aetolia
Pleuron was an ancient city in Aetolia, Greece. The town is said to have been founded by Pleuron, son of Aetolus. It was the birthplace of the ancient Greek poet Alexander Aetolus....
(the name of the son of the mythological father Aetolus
Aetolus, son of Endymion
Aetolus was, in Greek mythology, a son of Endymion, grandson of Deucalion, and the nymph Neïs, or Iphianassa. According to Pausanias, his mother was called Asterodia, Chromia, or Hyperippe. He was married to Pronoe, by whom he had two sons, Pleuron and Calydon. His brothers were Paeon, Epeius, and...
comes from along with Kalydon which carries the name of another son) and Oiniadai. The name of the town in the middle of the lagoon dates back to ancient times.
The old part of the town lies quite romantically on an island between two lagoons, of which the Aitolikon Lagoon which extends up to Stamna lies to the north, and the Mesolonghi Lagoon which was Lake Kynia in antiquity lies to the south and broadly southward to where it connects with Gulf of Patras
Gulf of Patras
The Gulf of Patras is a branch of the Ionian Sea. On the east, it is closed by the Strait of Rion between capes Rio, Greece and Antirrio, near the Rio-Antirio bridge. On the west, it is bounded by a line from Oxeia island to Cape Araxos...
and into the Ionian Sea
Ionian Sea
The Ionian Sea , is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and a large number of Greek islands, including Corfu, Zante, Kephalonia, Ithaka, and...
where on October 7, 1571, the Battle of Lepanto
Battle of Lepanto (1571)
The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when a fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states, decisively defeated the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire in five hours of fighting on the northern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off western Greece...
took place. The island is connected to the mainland on each side by two bridges. This community has some trees and residential houses and the direct road isn't passed. Tidal forces let strong currents develop regularly going back and forth under the arches of the bridges. The taverns of Aitolikon offer specialities such as smoked or salted Avgotaracho which is famous around the world for its unique taste and quality. Avgotaracho is the egg of the fish kefalos and is considered to be a superb speciality, some say superior to caviar. Eels slit open and lightly dried, then grilled on charcoal are another superb local speciality. Try them with raw onion and local dark red wine!!!!
The delta and the lagoons
The Achelous delta to be found west of Mesolonghi is the most extensive delta in Greece. The Mesolonghi lagoon is one of the largest lagoons of the entire Mediterranean sea with its depth of 1.5 m. It is separated from the Gulf of Patras while its sea water is renewed from the Gulf, while the Aitolikon lagoon is a little deeper at 30 m deep.Of economic importance is the saltworks located to the east next to the old GR-5 (Agrinion - Mesolonghi) about 100 m from the sea with an area of about 500 m² and a width of about 1 km between Aitolikon and Mesolonghi. It has been producing salt for years. Farmlands lie to the east with hills and rocky landscape. Fishing is common in the lagoon. The lagoons are the richest waters in Greece as far as fish are concerned. Here, boats are used. In different places, wooden huts on stilts can be seen. Land development and waste management endanger the entire delta area. A large tract of land is under nature protection and hunting is banned. In this area, 170 species of birds are founded.
It is also home to some parasites including isopods and sand smelts including Atherina boyeri
Atherina boyeri
Big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, is a species of fish in the Atherinidae family. Euryhaline amphidromous fish, up to 20 cm length.-Range:It is found in the Eastern Atlantic from Portugal and Spain to Nouadhibou and Madeira...
.
History
Around 900 A.D, the Byzantine fleet from Naupaktos (Lepanto) at the Gulf of CorinthGulf of Corinth
The Gulf of Corinth or the Corinthian Gulf is a deep inlet of the Ionian Sea separating the Peloponnese from western mainland Greece...
became and capital and became Nikopolis. The new capital became secured by the fortress. One of these fortresses were favourable for defense on the island and the lagoons in Aitoliko. Since the 12th century, the island fortress of Anatoliko developed to the city. In 1406, it was sold to Carlo I Tocco
Carlo I Tocco
Carlo I Tocco was the ruler of Epirus from 1411 until his death on July 4, 1429.-Life:Carlo I was the son of Count Leonardo I Tocco of Cephalonia and Leukas by Maddalena de' Buondelmonti, sister of Esau de' Buondelmonti of Epirus...
of Kefallinia. The Venetian forces divided their incomes from the salt gardens and fish watern of Anatoliko which lasted until 1430.
During the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
against the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, in the beginning of the 19th century, Aitolikon experienced three Turkish sieges before it became a part of Greece. There were 500 Greek defenders and 15,000 Turks in the first siege, The second siege was repelled, in the third siege, Aitolikon was re-taken by the Turks at the same time as Mesolonghi on April 11, 1826. Generals from Greece that participated included Georgios Liakatas.
Persons
- Vaso Katraki, Engraver - Painter, 1914–1988, website: http://www.aitoloakarnania.gr/index.htm
- I.M. Panagiotopoulos (born Ioannis Mihail Panagiotopoulos), 1901–1982, website: http://www.aitoloakarnania.gr/litterateurs/panagiotopoulos.htm (in Greek)
- Giannis VogiatzisGiannis Vogiatzis-Biography:Vogiatzis Lalakis was born in Aitoliko in Etoloakarnania in 1926. He studied at the Dramatic School at the Royal Theatre and for one space at the Industrial Degree...
(b. 1926), actor - Rono Emci, an acclaimed artist.