The old capital of the Despotate of Epirus, under an hour from Preveza, with its famous bridge over the Arachthos and Byzantine churches.
About Arta
Arta lies on the Arachthos river, about 49 km (under an hour) from Preveza. Corinth founded it in the 7th century BC as Ambracia, and in 294 BC Pyrrhus of Epirus made it his capital; parts of the ancient walls, a temple of Apollo and a small theatre survive in the town.
From 1205 Arta was the capital of the Despotate of Epirus, the Byzantine state founded by Michael I Komnenos Doukas, and that period left its finest buildings: the Panagia Parigoritissa, built in about 1290 by Despot Nikephoros I, and the castle, begun in the 13th century, with a clock tower in front of it.
The Bridge of Arta crosses the Arachthos at the western edge of town. The present bridge is probably a 17th-century Ottoman construction, and the folk ballad about it tells how the master builder's wife was walled into its foundations to stop it collapsing every night.
Good to know
- Walk across the Bridge of Arta and along the river bank.
- The Parigoritissa and the castle are both in the centre, close enough to walk between.
- Rogoi Castle, on the Louros, fits into the same day if you start early.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How far is Arta from Preveza?
About 49 km by road, a little under an hour from Preveza town centre.
How old is the Bridge of Arta?
The present bridge is probably a 17th-century Ottoman construction, built on the site of earlier bridges over the Arachthos.
What is the legend of the Bridge of Arta?
In the folk ballad, the bridge collapses every night until the master builder's wife is walled into its foundations.
Last updated 18 October 2026. Information checked against en.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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