Panagia of Koronisia (Byzantine church)
Koronisia village, Ambracian Gulf (61 km / about 1 hour 10 minutes from Preveza)
A late 10th-century Byzantine church in the fishing village of Koronisia, on an island in the Ambracian Gulf, once a monastery famous for its eel farms.
About Panagia of Koronisia (Byzantine church)
The church of the Nativity of the Virgin stands in the middle of Koronisia, a fishing village on a small island in the Ambracian Gulf, about 61 km (an hour and ten minutes) from Preveza by road and causeway. It was built in the late 10th century, in the middle Byzantine period, and for centuries its monastery played a major part in the life of the gulf.
The church is small, 15 by 7.30 metres, and of a rare type: a semi-inscribed cross-in-square with a dome, with a narthex and an outer narthex. A marble relief slab in the middle of the floor carries the motif of the five loaves. The carved wooden iconostasis is from the 19th century, with an icon of Christ dated 1854.
The monastery is first mentioned in 1193. Cyriacus of Ancona attended a service here in 1436, and the monks were known for their eel farms in the Ambracian Gulf.
Good to know
- Combine it with the lagoons: the causeway to Koronisia is one of the best ways to see the Ambracian Gulf and its pelicans.
- It is a working church: visit quietly and dress modestly.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old is the church of Koronisia?
It was built in the late 10th century; its monastery is first mentioned in writing in 1193.
How do you get to Koronisia?
By car along the causeway through the lagoons of the Ambracian Gulf, about 61 km (an hour and ten minutes) from Preveza.
Last updated 18 October 2026. Information checked against el.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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