Arta Castle — Attraction in Arta Municipality

This fortification was built upon a small part of the ruins of the great fortifications that protected ancient Amvrakia, once the capital of no lesser King than the legendary Pyrrhus of Epirus. The Romans never forgot and obviously never forgave the scare they got from the Epirirote King and went forth to destroy the city. What little was left of it was obliterated by the barbarian invasions of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Sometime after that, the Eastern Roman Empire, more known as Byzantium, must have built some small fortification upon the site. Then came the 4th crusade and the division of the lands of the empire to Latin invaders. But not here. A local lord, Michael Angelos Komnenos Doukas, with roots connected to the family trees of no less than three imperial houses, established the Byzantine successor state that we know today as the Despotate of Epirus, destined to be a significant regional power for the next 100-150 years. The fortifications are well preserved and, in most part, belong to this period (first half of the 13th century). Parts of the ancient walls have been incorporated into the medieval walls, while ancient spolia can be seen in many other parts as well. Modifications and improvements have been made through the course of time, but the basic frame of the structure remains in its initial late Byzantine form. The eastern side that we can see today from the main road was once by the riverside, and thus was less densely enhanced with towers. Gradually, the river drifted to the east. Easy and free to visit, it is...

This fortification was built upon a small part of the ruins of the great fortifications that protected ancient Amvrakia, once the capital of no lesser King than the legendary Pyrrhus of Epirus. The Romans never forgot and obviously never forgave the scare they got from the Epirirote King and went forth to destroy the city. What little was left of it was obliterated by the barbarian invasions of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Sometime after that, the Eastern Roman Empire, more known as Byzantium, must have built some small fortification upon the site. Then came the 4th crusade and the division of the lands of the empire to Latin invaders. But not here. A local lord, Michael Angelos Komnenos Doukas, with roots connected to the family trees of no less than three imperial houses, established the Byzantine successor state that we know today as the Despotate of Epirus, destined to be a significant regional power for the next 100-150 years. The fortifications are well preserved and, in most part, belong to this period (first half of the 13th century). Parts of the ancient walls have been incorporated into the medieval walls, while ancient spolia can be seen in many other parts as well. Modifications and improvements have been made through the course of time, but the basic frame of the structure remains in its initial late Byzantine form. The eastern side that we can see today from the main road was once by the riverside, and thus was less densely enhanced with towers. Gradually, the river drifted to the east. Easy and free to visit, it is...

Awesome castle 🏰 ! A lot of trees are around it and there is a Cinema nearby that you can watch movies during summer period. Next to it there is a small square which called "Karaiskaki's Square" and a school. You can park your car for Free near this castle since a public parking...