The islet is located about 100 m west of that of Finikia and is currently uninhabited. During the Revolution, being fortified with a small earthwork and a piece of artillery, it served as an outpost of Aitoliko, but that too of Messolonghi during the final siege of the city, which began in 1825. Its occupation by the Ottomans, as with the other islands in the lagoon, was of great importance for completing the blockade of Messolonghi, cutting it off from supplies and so weakening it.
After the capture of Vassiladi, a fierce all-day battle was fought at Dolmas on 28 February 1826. The Greeks were under the leadership of Grigoris Liakatas, who, apart from being a brave chieftain, also had the reputation of a handsome man, and was therefore known as Kalessos. The Turkish-Egyptian forces set up dozens of cannons on the opposite shore of Finikia and began to bombard the islet and its 300 or so defenders, who put up a fierce resistance. They could not hold out, however, as the enemy redoubled his forces. Meanwhile, at the most critical moment, their ammunition caught fire and exploded. All but a few were killed, and the little island fell into the hands of the opposing forces. Immediately afterwards, on 1st March of the same year, Aitoliko was also captured, and its inhabitants massacred or enslaved. These events made the siege of Messolonghi even tighter and led to the decision of the heroic Break-out.
The islet is now connected to Aitoliko via a road in the lagoon: on it is a chapel to the Panagia and a monument to the historic battle. Every February a memorial service and events are held there to commemorate the anniversary.
