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Writer's pictureGeorge Tatakis

Unlocking the Mystique: St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi

Nestled in the historic sacred city of Missolonghi, the St. Simeon Festivals are a captivating blend of tradition, celebration, and a touch of mystique. Twice a year, this enchanting event unfolds within the sacred walls of the St. Simeon Monastery, creating an atmosphere steeped in history and local fervor.

"Every free man is a citizen of Messolonghi." - a quote inscribed at the city's wall.
St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi, Greece. Black and White Photography by George Tatakis.
The male costumes 'Ntoulamas' at Missolonghi Lagoon.

The Winter Festival of Saint Simeon at the Sacred City of Missolonghi: Embracing Tradition and Memories.

Held on the name days of Ipapantis and Saint Simeon, the winter festival, a hidden gem, takes place on February 2 and 3. Unlike its vibrant summer counterpart, the winter celebration is more intimate, wrapped in a cloak of nostalgia and local charm.

St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi, Greece. Black and White Photography by George Tatakis.
A hut outside the monastery of Saint Simeon

Journey to Missolonghi: A Three-Hour Drive into History.

For those seeking a taste of Missolonghi's unique offerings, a scenic three-hour drive from Athens unveils a world rich in cultural treasures. Beyond the festivities, the city boasts the production of exquisite local Ouzo and the renowned Greek Avgotaraho, a delicacy known as Bottarga, crafted from cured Grey Mullet roe.

"Avgotaraho: Tasting a single slice will cause a velvety explosion of fruits and the sea in your mouth—combined with a spicy whiff—that will reach the utmost parts of your brain. …a long-lasting sensation." - Simos Georgopoulos, Journalist
St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi, Greece. Black and White Photography by George Tatakis.
The bridge connecting Rion to Antirion

Engineering Marvel: Crossing the Rio-Antirio Bridge.

En route to Missolonghi from Athens, the journey unfolds across the iconic Rio-Antirio Bridge, a testament to engineering ingenuity. Overcoming nature's challenges, this bridge connects Peloponnese to the mainland, leaving travelers in awe of its construction brilliance.

St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi, Greece. Black and White Photography by George Tatakis.
Lighting of the bridge "Charilaos Trikoupis"

Exploring Nature's Canvas: Lagoons and Wooden Homes.

Missolonghi offers more than just festivals; it presents a breathtaking lagoon adorned with diverse avian inhabitants and wooden homes perched atop its surface, creating a picturesque landscape.

St. Simeon Festivals in Missolonghi, Greece. Black and White Photography by George Tatakis.
A wooden fisherman's house in the Lagoon