Missolonghi

Missolonghi (Mesolongion), a seaport town of Greece, in the nomarchy of Ætolia, on the northern shore of the Gulf of Patras, 24 miles W. of Lepanto. A modern place, built on a swampy flat, it is chiefly memorable for the two sieges which it underwent during the war of independence. In 1821-22 it was vainly invested for three months by land and sea by the Turks; in 1825-26 it was again besieged by an overwhelming Ottoman force, and, after ten months of resistance and suffering, its garrison, reduced from 5000 to 3000 fighting-men, cut their way through the ranks of the enemy, carrying with them a great number of the women and children. The Turks then entered the town, which was all but totally destroyed. There is a statue (1835) over the grave of Bozzaris, and another (1881) of Lord Byron, on the spot where his heart is interred. Pop. 6324.