MESOLNGION

also called Missolonghi town and capital of the noms (department) of Aetolia and Acarnania, Greece. It lies along the Patraks Gulf on the shore of a large, shallow lagoon, which is partly given over to fish hatcheries. Seat of a metropolitan bishop of the Greek Orthodox church, the town is notable for two heroic actions in the War of Greek Independence (182129) and for its association with the English poet Lord Byron, who died there of fever in 1824. Byron is commemorated by a statue and a monument in the Heroon (war memorial). A long causeway extends southward across the lagoon to deep water at Tourldha, a port of call. Pop. (1981) 10,164.