Η έξοδος του Μεσολογγίου και κήπος ηρώων | Exodus of Mesolongi and hero's garden

The Exodus of Mesolongi is one of the most important historical events of the Greek War of Independence. It took place in April 1826. The residents of Mesolongi, from inside the walls, fought the Othomans army with courage but the siege lasted for a whole year. The Othomans had circled the area and the Greeks could not get food supplies. People started dying from famine and diseases and the other Greeks were unable to help them. In the end, the exhausted residents of Mesolongi decided to secretly exit their city in the night of April, 10th, 1826, cross the Othomans camp and hide themselves in the mountains and the close by villages. However, their plan was betrayed to the enemy and when the Greeks opened the gates in the middle of the night, the Othomans attacked them and killed all women and children and most of the soldiers. Only 1,300 men finally managed to save their lives. The Exodus is considered to be a great act of courage and it is celebrated every year in Mesolongi the Sunday before Easter, as an annual anniversary and a memorance of this heroic act. The Garden of Heroes is placed at the entrance of Mesolongi, within its walls. It is dedicated to all the political and military figures that have their place along the long history of this town. The largest part of this garden is dedicated to the fighters of the Greek War of Independence, who fought for the freedom of Mesolongi.